PPP Holds One-on-One Debates: Pro-Impeachment vs. Anti-Impeachment Showdown

On the First Day: Kim Moonsoo vs. Han Donghoon, Ahn Cheolsoo vs. Kim Moonsoo Debates
On the Second Day: Han Donghoon and Hong Junpyo Face Off in a Three-Hour Death Match

The four preliminary candidates who advanced to the People Power Party's second presidential primary will engage in one-on-one debates over two days starting April 24. On the first day, the matchups will be former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo versus former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, and Representative Ahn Cheolsoo versus former Minister Kim. As such, a clash between pro-impeachment (supporters of former President Yoon Sukyeol's impeachment) and anti-impeachment (opponents of impeachment) factions is inevitable.

The People Power Party will hold the second presidential primary's "one-on-one debate" live on Channel A from 4:00 p.m. on April 24. The first debate will feature former Minister Kim and former leader Han facing off.

It is expected that former leader Han, who is pro-impeachment, and Representative Ahn will repeatedly press former Minister Kim, a prominent anti-impeachment figure, for an apology regarding martial law and his stance on the impeachment of former President Yoon.

Previously, at the media day held the previous day, former Minister Kim stated, "Isn't this process?where (former President Yoon) was impeached and a new election must be held?because of candidate Han? I wanted to ask him that," explaining his reason for targeting former leader Han. In response, at the same media day, former leader Han also pressured former Minister Kim and former Mayor Hong Junpyo, who had named him as their debate opponent, saying, "Martial law and impeachment are issues that cannot be avoided in this election."

On the same day, from 5:30 p.m., former Minister Kim and Representative Ahn will hold their debate. Representative Ahn, who had previously urged the preliminary candidates to apologize for martial law and promise constitutional amendment, also indirectly called for former President Yoon to leave the party during an interview with YTN Radio, stating that Yoon should "distance himself from the party and act independently." For this reason, it is expected that Representative Ahn will press former Minister Kim on whether there has been any change in his position regarding former President Yoon.

People Power Party presidential primary candidates Kim Moonsoo (from left), Han Donghoon, Hong Junpyo, and Ahn Cheolsoo pose for a commemorative photo at the media day for the second primary debate to select the 21st presidential candidate, held at the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on April 23, 2025. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

As speculation continues about the potential candidacy of Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, it is anticipated that the candidates will also exchange views on the "big tent" strategy.

Former Minister Kim has already brought People Power Party lawmaker Park Sooyoung, who has been urging Acting President Han to run, into his campaign team. Both former Mayor Hong and former leader Han have also changed their stance to oppose Acting President Han's candidacy.

On the previous day, former Mayor Hong wrote on Facebook, "If Acting President Han runs, even if I become the candidate, I will leave the door open for a unified big tent negotiation against Lee Jaemyung."

Former leader Han also stated on this day, "After winning the primary by a landslide, I will work with everyone to secure victory in the main election." He added, "Acting President Han and I worked together to resolve the unprecedented martial law situation while minimizing conflict. We share the same determination to protect and help Korea flourish," hinting at the possibility of unification.

In contrast, Representative Ahn strongly opposes the speculation about Acting President Han's candidacy, stating, "It is no different from former President Yoon running again, and it will never be able to stop Lee Jaemyung."

The one-on-one debate scheduled for April 25 will also see former leader Han and former Mayor Hong exchanging control of the debate as they face off for three hours. At the previous day's media day, the two preliminary candidates created a warm atmosphere by complimenting each other, with one saying, "(Former Mayor Hong) has much experience and many things to learn from," and the other saying, "(Former leader Han) is smart and good-looking."

However, since there were even remarks about appearance during the first primary debate, it is expected that there will be heated exchanges in this one-on-one debate as well. Previously, at the first primary debate on April 20, former Mayor Hong had pointed out to former leader Han, "You're already tall, so why do you wear height-increasing shoes?" In response, former leader Han's camp retorted by calling former Mayor Hong "the first politician with eyebrow tattoos."