Kim Moonsoo and Ahn Cheolsoo Announce Candidacies
Key Contenders Expected to Join the Race This Week
Six to Seven Potential Candidates Inside and Outside the National Assembly
As the People Power Party officially enters the early presidential election system with the launch of the Election Commission, the pace of presidential candidates is accelerating. Starting with the declarations of candidacy by Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, and Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, the appearances of conservative camp dark horses will continue this week. More than 10 candidates are expected to run in the People Power Party primary.
At 11 a.m. on the 8th, Representative Ahn held a declaration ceremony for his candidacy for the 21st presidential election in front of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. He officially declared his candidacy, saying, "We must move beyond intra-party conflicts to party unity, beyond national conflicts to national integration, beyond national chaos to national development, toward a 'predestined future'." He revealed his vision to achieve innovation in the three pillars of diplomacy, security, and economic security, including a national integration constitutional amendment centered on a four-year presidential two-term system and a large electoral district system; the establishment of a five-year new economic development plan focusing on nurturing one million AI talents and AI, quantum computing, cyber security, and a strong medical nation; and the promotion of five major reforms in pensions, education, labor, medical care, and the public sector.
Kim, who has maintained the number one support rate in the conservative camp, also expressed his intention to resign at the Cabinet meeting that morning and began full preparations for the presidential election. After holding a retirement ceremony at the Government Sejong Complex at 3 p.m., he plans to immediately start forming his campaign team.
Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu and a member of the Ban-chan (anti-impeachment) faction, will hold a retirement ceremony on the 11th and declare his candidacy in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 14th. On the 9th, he will publish a book titled "The 7th Republic Opens the Era of an Advanced Nation," which contains his philosophy on national governance. Former party leader Han Dong-hoon, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, classified as Chan-tan (pro-impeachment) faction, are likely to formalize their presidential bids this week.
Meanwhile, Lee Jung-hyun, former Saenuri Party leader and a member of the pro-Park Geun-hye faction, declared his candidacy on the 7th. Lee Cheol-woo, governor of North Gyeongsang Province, and Yoo Jeong-bok, mayor of Incheon, are also scheduled to hold press conferences on the 9th to announce their candidacies. They plan to express their intentions to run for president under the General MacArthur statue in Jayu Park, Jung-gu, Incheon, and at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, respectively.
The pool of potential candidates also reaches six to seven people. Within the National Assembly, Kim Ki-hyun, Na Kyung-won, and Yoon Sang-hyun are mentioned. Outside the Assembly, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, a member of the pro-Yoon Seok-youl faction, and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Kyung-hwan, a member of the pro-Park faction, are considered. Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon and Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum are also classified as presidential hopefuls.
Within the People Power Party, there is an atmosphere of anticipation for a lively contest due to the large number of candidates aiming for the presidency. A senior member of the People Power Party expressed hope, saying, "Once the primary officially begins, attention will be focused on the People Power Party more than the Democratic Party, which is dominated by Lee Jae-myung."
Meanwhile, on the 7th, the People Power Party approved the composition of the Election Commission, appointing former emergency committee chairman Hwang Woo-yeo as chairman and Lee Yang-su as vice chairman. The Election Commission plans to hold its first meeting on the 9th to discuss the primary schedule and rules.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
