'Anti-impeachment' Kim Moonsoo and Lee Cheolwoo Meet
'Anti-impeachment vs. Pro-impeachment' Confrontation... Exploring Alliances
Breakfast Meeting with Mayor Oh Sehoon Scheduled for Tomorrow
Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, solidified an alliance of the 'anti-impeachment (Bantan)' faction by consecutively meeting with Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, last weekend and Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, on the 15th. As the People Power Party's presidential primary unfolds as a confrontation between the anti-impeachment faction and the pro-impeachment (Chantan) faction, it is interpreted that they are exploring the possibility of unification in the future.
Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo (left) and Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk, who declared their candidacy for the 21st presidential election, are shaking hands during a meeting held on the 15th at the Park Chung-hee Memorial Hall in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
During a meeting with Governor Lee at the Park Chung-hee Presidential Memorial Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the same day, former Minister Kim said about the possibility of unification, "Such meetings among us can happen frequently," adding, "I will make efforts often going forward." Governor Lee said, "The candidate will be decided by voting," but also left open the possibility of an alliance by saying, "If former Minister Kim comes in first, it is important to consolidate Gyeongbuk votes to ensure he becomes president."
The People Power Party will narrow down the candidates to four through the first primary. Former Minister Kim, former party leader Han Dong-hoon, and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo are likely to advance. The remaining spot is expected to be contested between Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo. If Na advances, the structure will be three anti-impeachment candidates (Kim Moon-soo, Na Kyung-won, Hong Joon-pyo) versus one pro-impeachment candidate (Han Dong-hoon), which means the anti-impeachment faction’s votes will be split, putting them at a disadvantage.
The second primary will be conducted with 50% party members (electoral college) and 50% public opinion polls. If former leader Han absorbs all the pro-impeachment votes, his chances of advancing to the final primary increase. Even if Ahn, classified as pro-impeachment, advances to the second primary instead of Na, many analyses suggest that depending on the confrontation structure, unification among the anti-impeachment faction will be inevitable to consolidate conservative support in the final candidate selection process.
The tensions between the pro-impeachment and anti-impeachment candidates are also intensifying. Na’s camp said in a statement that day, "Candidate Han Dong-hoon caused division within the conservative camp throughout President Yoon’s term, leading to a crushing defeat in the general election," and added, "Yet, instead of reflecting, his internal attacks from the start of the presidential primary clearly show Han’s divisive DNA."
Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, and Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, are heading to their seats carrying the food they ordered before holding a youth meeting at a fast food restaurant inside Chung-Ang University in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News
Recent consecutive meetings among anti-impeachment candidates are also interpreted as reflecting this atmosphere. However, since it is still early in the primary, candidates are cautious about big-tent alliances or unifications for now. Former Minister Kim said, "Various alliances may be necessary, like in the past with Roh Moo-hyun and Chung Mong-joon, or the DJP coalition (Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil)," but added, "Those matters should be judged after the party primary ends." Governor Lee said, "There is no need to rush into unification (already)."
On the morning of the 16th, former Minister Kim will also have a breakfast meeting with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who declared he will not run for president. Kim’s camp said, "We hope it will be a meaningful occasion to deeply understand Mayor Oh’s political beliefs, who has consistently practiced the philosophy of accompanying the weak." This is interpreted as an attempt to expand the base by meeting with Mayor Oh, who is classified as a moderate conservative, considering the anti-impeachment faction’s weakness in moderate expansion.
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