"Han Deoksoo's Run Is Essentially a Deviation... He Must Be Feeling Conflicted"
"Except for Kim Jongun, We Must Join Forces; If Lee Jaemyung Wins, It Will Be Dictatorship"
Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a preliminary presidential candidate for the People Power Party, stated ahead of the announcement of the results of the second primary, which will narrow the candidates from four to two, "I am confident that I will naturally be among the final two, and I also believe I will come in first place."
Regarding his plan for an 'anti-Lee Jaemyung big tent' if he becomes the final candidate for the People Power Party, he said, "I am willing to join hands with anyone, including former Prime Minister Lee Nakyon."
Kim Moonsoo, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is announcing his pledge to become one of the top five export powers during a policy pledge press conference held at his campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the morning of April 29, during an appearance on KBS Radio's 'Jeong Changjun's Current Affairs,' Kim stated, "If Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party becomes president, he will control both legislative and executive powers, creating a tilted playing field."
Regarding his rival, former Mayor Hong Junpyo, Kim said, "There are several areas where we overlap, but there is an aspect in which he was called forth by the entire nation. However, I believe I am more suitable as a match against Lee Jaemyung, and it seems that many people within the party and among the general public share this view."
On Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, Kim commented, "He is very young and quite outstanding, but he essentially lacks political experience. Although he has served as Minister of Justice, acting party leader, and party leader, I cannot understand how he joined forces with the opposition to impeach the president. That is the biggest issue."
Regarding Han Deoksoo, acting president and prime minister, who is expected to announce his candidacy soon, Kim remarked, "He has been a lifelong civil servant, a so-called 'career bureaucrat,' so in fact, his decision to run for president is a deviation. It's like the country is on fire, but instead of putting out the fire, he steps outside to do something else. I believe Han must also be feeling very heavy-hearted and conflicted."
However, Kim expressed a proactive stance on unifying candidacies with Han. He said, "In the Democratic Party's primary, candidate Lee Jaemyung won 89.77% of the vote, which is much more lopsided than during President Kim Daejung's time?almost like Kim Jongun of North Korea or Xi Jinping of the Chinese Communist Party." He continued, "So who can stop this? We must not be divided."
Kim emphasized, "Whether it is the Democratic Party or candidate Lee Nakyon, if anyone can stop Lee Jaemyung, then except for Kim Jongun (Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea), we should join forces. If Lee Jaemyung is elected, checks and balances will collapse, democracy will end, and dictatorship will begin."
However, regarding unification with Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, Kim explained, "Lee is now 40 years old and has a promising future, so he strongly believes that even if he doesn't succeed this time, he will have more opportunities. Also, Han is an independent without a party, whereas Lee has a party, so the process is several steps more complicated."
When asked if unifying with Han could create synergy, Kim replied, "The election is imminent and public sentiment is extremely volatile, so we need to achieve a unified candidacy in an orderly, swift, and rational manner that people can accept, but it will not be easy. It is a difficult challenge."
Regarding Lee's recruitment of Yoon Yeojun, former Minister of Environment known as a 'conservative strategist,' Kim said, "I know him well and have been close to him. I hope this is not just an election strategy or trick to win right-wing votes."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
