Kim Moonsoo Camp: "Landslide Victory in First Round, Aiming to Finish in Second"

Kim Moonsoo Advances Past First Round... "Accelerating Talent Recruitment"
Among Anti-Impeachment Bloc, Na Kyungwon Unexpectedly Eliminated
Fortunes Diverge Over Centrist Appeal and Unification Strategies

The camp of Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, who passed the first round of the People Power Party's presidential primary, stated on the 23rd, "We achieved a landslide victory in the first round, and our goal is to finish it in the second round," adding, "That way, those who support the liberal conservative bloc can also unite." The camp also emphasized their willingness to form alliances with anyone, including the eliminated 'Chantan (pro-impeachment)' candidates.

Kim Moonsoo, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul on April 18, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Park Sooyoung, a People Power Party lawmaker and head of the camp's policy division, met with reporters at the campaign office in Daehwa Building, Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the same day and said, "The primary has narrowed from the top 8 to the top 4. Unfortunately, some excellent candidates did not make it to the top 4 and were eliminated." He continued, "We will continue to recruit talent from the camps of eliminated candidates," adding, "We have been accelerating the process since yesterday." He also mentioned former lawmaker Yang Hyangja, a member of the 'Chantan (pro-impeachment)' group, saying, "She is an IT talent and a former executive at Samsung Electronics." He emphasized, "As Kim has also said, we must defeat Lee Jaemyung, former leader of the Democratic Party, at all costs. We are willing to welcome and work with anyone."

In the first round of the People Power Party's presidential primary held the previous day, Kim Moonsoo, Ahn Cheolsoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Joonpyo advanced to the second round. The party's election management committee did not disclose the rankings or vote percentages. However, both the Kim Moonsoo and Hong Joonpyo camps claim to have taken first place.

The second round of the primary will be held on April 27-28, using a method that combines 50% party member votes and 50% public opinion polls. If a candidate receives a majority, they will be selected as the final candidate. If not, a runoff between the top two candidates will be held with another round of party member voting and public opinion polling on May 1-2.

'Anti-impeachment' Kim Moonsoo advances, Na Kyungwon eliminated... What was different?

Among the candidates with strong anti-impeachment tendencies, former Minister Kim advanced smoothly, while People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyungwon was somewhat unexpectedly eliminated.

Although both candidates enjoyed strong support from hardline conservatives, analysts say their differing positions on issues such as centrist outreach and candidate unification affected their appeal.

In a recent interview with Asia Economy, former Minister Kim stated regarding communication with the Democratic Party and others, "If I become president, I will regularly have meals with the opposition leader," and added, "The opposition is not an adversary, but a partner in leading the nation." On centrist outreach, he said, "I will transcend left and right," and "I understand the sentiments and concerns of Honam better than anyone. I am also well aware of the public opinion among pragmatic centrists."

On the 20th, at the ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Na Kyungwon, candidate of Group B, is speaking at the first round group debate of the People Power Party's 21st presidential candidate primary election. 2025.4.20 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

In contrast, from the time she announced her candidacy, Na Kyungwon emphasized an ideological frame by saying, "This presidential election is a war of systems." In an interview with Asia Economy, she said regarding social integration, "We must first restore the rule of law and principles that have collapsed," and dismissed the Democratic Party as "engaging in legislative tyranny by pushing through with their majority." A People Power Party official explained, "Since the Na Kyungwon camp's support base overlapped with that of Kim Moonsoo and Hong Joonpyo, they adopted an even more hardline strategy, but it seems they failed to win over voters."

The two candidates also differed in their stance on forming an anti-Lee Jaemyung 'big tent.' Former Minister Kim left open the possibility of unifying candidacies with Han Ducksoo, the acting president and prime minister, who is still considering whether to run. However, Na Kyungwon rejected Han, saying, "We cannot always rely on mercenaries." Notably, Na also distanced herself from Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party and a 'Chantan' figure, stating, "An apology for inciting the impeachment must come first."

Some analysts believe that Na Kyungwon's emphasis on her image as a 'conservative fighter' may have alienated not only swing voters but also party members. During her criticism of Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party, Na even employed fear-based messaging, referencing being "put into a drum barrel," which is also interpreted as having a negative impact on conservative voters who want a "winning candidate" with centrist appeal.

Having passed the first round of the primary, former Minister Kim is expected to continue broadening his support base by announcing policies targeting the middle class. Recently, in addition to pledging to complete the metropolitan GTX (Great Train Express) lines and to promote the establishment of GTX routes in the five major metropolitan areas nationwide, he also introduced youth housing stability policies, demonstrating efforts to soften his hardline conservative image.