"You shouldn't declare your own presidential candidacy"
"Must form alliances with other candidates, can't force it"
"Constitutional reform needed... Problems with both single-term and multiple-term systems"
Kim Moon-soo, a leading presidential contender from the People Power Party and former Minister of Employment and Labor, said on the 11th that Han Duck-soo, the Acting President and Prime Minister, whose candidacy is being discussed, "is expected to perform well as Acting President to overcome the national crisis."
Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, is being interviewed by Yonhap News reporters on the 10th at the Daehwa Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
On the same day, Kim met with reporters at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, "Acting President Han has lived his entire life as a public official, and when he walks, he looks straight ahead without looking around."
This statement is interpreted as a check against the growing calls within the People Power Party for Acting President Han to run in the presidential election.
Kim also appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that morning and said, "The leadership of this country is currently unstable, and in this situation, it would not be appropriate for him to immediately declare his candidacy for president."
However, Kim later explained to reporters regarding his radio remarks, "Anyone can run, and if anyone can defeat Representative Lee Jae-myung, wouldn't that be good?" adding, "It's better not to say things like 'don't run'."
Regarding the possibility of vote splitting with Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo during the primary process, Kim said, "Since the People Power Party is facing many difficult conditions, we must produce a candidate who can definitely defeat candidate Lee Jae-myung," adding, "We will do our best to unite and surely win."
On the question of alliances or unifications with other candidates during the primary, he said, "Of course, alliances with other candidates should be made," but added, "There are too many candidates now, and just because there are many candidates doesn't mean we can force it; such processes will be followed."
Regarding constitutional reform discussions, Kim said, "Some people say a parliamentary system or a dual executive system is better, but fundamentally, our country has a presidential direct election system, and I believe this cannot be changed."
He continued, "There is also an issue with the four-year renewable term," pointing out, "Even if the constitution says only two terms, there will be presidents who try to amend the constitution to serve three terms." He added, "President Park Chung-hee ultimately met an unfortunate end, and the same goes for President Rhee Syngman," emphasizing, "These points should be deeply considered."
However, Kim noted, "There is a problem with the current single-term system because the timing does not align with the National Assembly elections," explaining, "As a result, a situation of a minority government occurs, and the president ends up unable to do anything and only faces impeachment, as happened this time." He added, "There are many complicated issues, but if there is consensus among the people and within the party, it is time to consider constitutional reform."
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