Guk-him Candidates Say "I'm the One to Catch Lee Jae-myung"... Differences in Temperature Over Moving Office to Sejong and Relationship with Yoon

Kim Moonsoo, Yoo Jeongbok, Han Donghoon, and Hong Joonpyo Target Lee Jaemyung
Na Kyungwon: "Freedom and Prosperity"
Yang Hyangja: "New Conservative Values"
Lee Cheolwoo Stresses "The New Park Chung-hee" as the Right Choice
Presidential Office Relocation to Sejong: "Gradual Discussion" and "Use of the Blue House"

The presidential primary candidates of the People Power Party on the 17th each claimed to be the candidate who can defeat Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is currently leading in public opinion polls. However, they showed differing views on the issue of relocating the presidential office to Sejong, which Lee had pledged.

Regarding their relationship with former President Yoon Seok-youl, they also expressed mixed opinions such as "a matter to be decided by party consensus," "leave while receiving applause," and "I already ordered his expulsion during my time as party leader."

The eight candidates who advanced to the People Power Party primary appealed for support, claiming they could defeat Lee Jae-myung, at the first primary media day event held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon and Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo launched an offensive against Lee, who is currently undergoing a criminal trial, calling him a "criminal suspect" and asserting they could win. Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo said, "Let's stop Lee Jae-myung's dictatorship," former party leader Han Dong-hoon said, "Let's stop the monster regime," and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo targeted Lee with the phrase, "Corruption and bribery or justice?"

Assemblywoman Na Kyung-won stated her candidacy with "freedom and prosperity," former Assemblywoman Yang Hyang-ja with "the semiconductor miracle and new conservative values," and Governor Lee Cheol-woo of Gyeongbuk with "the new Park Chung-hee."

The 1st primary debate media day for the 21st presidential candidates of the People Power Party was held on the 17th at the Yeouido Central Party Office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The primary candidates are holding placards and posing for a commemorative photo. From the front row, left to right: Hong Jun-pyo, former Mayor of Daegu; Yoo Jeong-bok, Mayor of Incheon; Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province; Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor. From the back row, left to right: Yang Hyang-ja, former member of the National Assembly; Ahn Cheol-soo, member of the National Assembly; Na Kyung-won, member of the National Assembly; Han Dong-hoon, former party leader. 2025.4.17 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

After the media day event, when reporters asked about the issue of relocating the presidential office, former Minister Kim responded, "Whether it is right for the residence and the office to be separated as they are now is something that needs to be reviewed in various ways," but added, "The United States protected the White House even when it was attacked. We also changed the office last time, but it is necessary to gather public opinion."

Former party leader Han explained that since the election will be held after the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-youl and there is no presidential transition committee period, it is difficult to relocate the office immediately. Han emphasized, "The presidential term starts on June 3. Then, will we work in a hotel instead of moving to Yongsan?" and added, "(The office) can be discussed gradually later according to public sentiment, regional balance, and efficiency."

Assemblywoman Na also said, "I am open to relocating to Sejong City, but procedures are necessary," pointing out, "Moving the presidential office to Sejong is clearly a matter of constitutional amendment."

Assemblyman Ahn proposed using part of the Blue House as the next presidential office. He explained, "Not using the entire Blue House, but since the area has developed commercial districts and attracted many tourists, there is also a plan to open part of the Blue House to the public, modeled after the White House in the United States."

The candidates showed subtle differences in tone regarding their relationship with former President Yoon. Former Minister Kim said, "The relationship with former President Yoon is a matter to be decided by party consensus," and criticized, "When the lame duck period begins or the president has some problems, they try to avoid crisis by expelling or cutting off the president they elected, hoping to recover approval ratings, but that is not responsible politics."

On the other hand, former party leader Han dismissed the issue, saying, "When I was party leader and Yoon was president, I publicly ordered his expulsion at the Ethics Committee," and added, "Now he is not president but an ordinary party member, so whether he should be expelled or not is not important."

Assemblywoman Na mentioned, "We should not exploit 'Yunsim (尹心)' in the presidential election," while former Assemblywoman Yang said, "Former President Yoon should make the decision," and added, "Leave while receiving applause."