Kim, Han, and Hong Lead the Race
Candidates Make Final Push to Win Voters
On the day before the People Power Party's presidential primary is narrowed down to two candidates, the four contenders held press conferences to announce their economic and security policies. With Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, Han Donghoon, former party leader, and Hong Joonpyo, former mayor of Daegu, locked in a close race, all candidates, including People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo, are focusing on winning over voters in the final stretch.
On April 28, the People Power Party will conclude its party member vote and public opinion poll, which began the previous day. If a candidate secures a majority on April 29, they will advance directly to the final round. If not, the two leading candidates will compete in a runoff on May 3 to determine the final nominee.
At this point, it is considered likely that no candidate will secure a majority. Unlike the first primary, which was determined by a 100% public opinion poll, the second round will reflect 50% of party members' votes, leading some to analyze that Kim Moonsoo and Hong Joonpyo have an advantage, while others predict that the surging Han Donghoon will make it to the final round.
On this day, Kim Moonsoo announced his pledge to make Korea one of the world's top five exporting countries at his campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul. He stated that, if elected president, he would propose a Korea-U.S. summit to pursue a comprehensive investment agreement covering shipbuilding, defense, and semiconductors. He also pledged to: ▲ institutionalize regular 'Export Promotion Meetings' chaired by the president ▲ expand free trade agreements (FTAs) with Global South countries such as India, ASEAN, the Middle East, and Africa ▲ increase support for corporate exports ▲ and train 100,000 export specialists.
Hong Joonpyo held a meeting at the Korea Federation of SMEs. Following his visit to Hongdae the previous day to communicate with young people, he listened to the concerns of small and medium-sized businesses. As he is often seen as lacking broad appeal, this move is interpreted as an attempt to win over centrist voters.
Han Donghoon visited Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, to announce his defense policy. Under the vision of 'Strong Defense, Secure National Security,' he pledged to secure nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear potential, and to establish a Korean-style four-axis system. He explained that he aims to achieve a level of nuclear potential comparable to Japan's, and to incorporate cyber-electronic and information warfare into Korea's three-axis system.
Ahn Cheolsoo also visited the National Cemetery to pay respects at the grave of Sergeant Chae, who died during a search operation for missing persons and the West Sea Defense Heroes. Afterwards, he announced pledges for the Daejeon and Chungcheong regions at the Daejeon City Council, and held a meeting with the 'Student Delegation Opposing Impeachment' at Chungbuk National University. By touring the Chungcheong region, which has historically played a casting vote in elections, he is working to win voter support.
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