With the presidential election just 13 days away, concerns are rising that the strategy of a 'big tent' focused on People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo is facing difficulties and may turn into an 'empty tent.' Kim is putting effort into engaging Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok, but Lee has stated that he has no intention of doing so yet.
On the 21st, Kim said, "Lee is ultimately the key figure who will lead us to victory in the presidential election through unification. I believe it will work out well."
On that day, Kim attended a debate hosted by the Korean Broadcasting Journalists’ Club for presidential candidates in Goyang, where he responded to the question of what measures could raise support rates during the remaining period.
He also noted, "Lee's policies are not at all different from those of our People Power Party, and everyone in the party knows him well beyond my understanding."
Kim expressed an optimistic view, stating, "Elections are dynamic, and I believe we will create a dramatic turnaround on the day of voting."
However, support from key figures who must seek victory with Kim as a 'one team' is currently unlikely.
First, Lee Jun-seok, the candidate for Reform Party, who is most anticipated for Kim’s 'unification card,' has refused the People Power Party's proposal and reaffirmed his intention to complete his campaign.
On the same day, Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party member and joint election committee chairman, was seen participating in Lee's campaign event at Gachon University, raising expectations that he might open up dialogue for unification.
After meeting with Ahn, Lee told reporters, "My stance on not unifying has not changed," and emphasized that in order to block Lee Jae-myung, voters must gather their support.
On that day, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also formally rejected joining the People Power Party’s election committee. He stated on his Facebook that all of the 'Hawaii special envoy' sent by Kim's side have returned and that his position of returning after the election remains unchanged.
Han Dong-hoon, who had previously competed in the primary, instead supported Kim separately only on the 20th. Although his red uniform displayed the People Power Party and the party candidate's number 2, the name 'Kim Moon-soo' was missing.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has faced internal strife over unification, has refused Kim's request to join the election committee and has also declined requests for supporting speeches on broadcast. A representative from Han's side stated, "There were no special remarks regarding future support."
On that day, Shin Dong-uk, the chief spokesperson for the election committee, remarked, "Former Prime Minister Han is someone who cares deeply about the future of the country, so I believe he will help us win. He is watching for the right timing," adding, "However, I do not expect it to be in the form of someone persuading others or joining hands with the candidate during a campaign."
In the face of the quickly approaching early presidential election, criticisms of Kim's extreme right tendencies, which some say are at the root of the People Power Party's difficulties in expanding support to the center, are being raised. It is noted that there is no justification for the centrist conservative camp to join hands with him.
During the first TV debate among presidential candidates on the 18th, in response to the question from Democratic Labor Party candidate Kwon Young-guk asking whether he acknowledges that Yoon Suk-yeol is the mastermind behind the 12·3 insurrection, Kim replied, "Whether it is insurrection is currently under (criminal) trial, and there are many judgments left to be made."
On the 21st, during the Korean Broadcasting Journalists' Club debate, in response to the question, "How do you view your relationship with the asphalt right led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon?" Kim stated, "I see it as a process of people who think the country is in danger expressing their opinions through protests," adding, "It is important to maintain a good relationship."
Meanwhile, some centrist conservatives are beginning to join the Democratic Party’s big tent. Former Minister of Environment Yoon Yeojun, known as the 'Conservative Planner,' has already joined as the general election committee chair, followed by former Minister of Justice Lee Seok-yeon and former three-term lawmaker Kwon Oh-eul from Daegu and Gyeongbuk.
Recently, Kim Sang-wook, who left the People Power Party, and former Reform Party leader Heo Eun-a have also declared their support for the Democratic Party or support for candidate Lee Jae-myung.
Critic Choi Soo-young noted, "Kim has been unable to expand to the center while unable to let go of his hardline supporters and maintains an ambiguous attitude," stating that in order to demand the great unity of the conservative camp, he needs to raise his support rates to show the possibility of winning the presidential election, or open the door for unification in a way that meets Lee's expectations.