Kim Moonsoo and Han Donghoon Advance to People Power Party's Final Presidential Primary
Differences in Stance on the "Big Tent" Strategy
Support or Opposition to Impeachment May Determine the Scope of the Big Tent
Although the June 3 presidential election is an early election expected to conclude in a short period, the overall landscape of the race has yet to become clear. This is due to the complex and ongoing discussions regarding political alliances and realignments. The basic structure of the race currently involves the People Power Party's "big tent" strategy countering Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, who is leading in opinion polls. However, the scope and direction of the big tent remain uncertain. It is anticipated that the party's national convention, scheduled for May 3, one month before the election, will clarify the future shape of the race.
Moonsoo Kim, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a presidential primary candidate for the People Power Party, and Donghoon Han, former party leader, will participate in a one-on-one debate on April 30. The final candidate will be determined through a process that combines 50% public opinion polling and 50% electoral college voting on May 1 and 2. The previous day, People Power Party lawmaker Chulsoo Ahn and former Daegu Mayor Joonpyo Hong were eliminated from the primary.
The People Power Party leadership is unusually proactive in forming a big tent. Despite the ongoing process of selecting the party's presidential candidate, the party is openly discussing unification with outside figures, which is an unusual situation. On the previous day, Kweon Seongdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "There are widespread concerns that if the Democratic Party's candidate Lee becomes president, our country will become a dictatorship," and added, "It would help the development and growth of the Republic of Korea, as well as safeguard the democratic system, if politicians who share these concerns unite." Kweon also remarked, "If the party's candidate unifies with Acting President Han, it is uncertain who would ultimately become the candidate." This has created an unusual situation in which, with public attention focused on the party convention, more emphasis is being placed on a unified candidate than on the party's own candidate.
On April 29, 2025, at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, candidates Moonsoo Kim (left) and Donghoon Han, who advanced to the third round of the party's 21st presidential primary, are taking a commemorative photo during the announcement event. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
If former Minister Kim is ultimately confirmed as the presidential candidate, discussions regarding unification with Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who is rumored to be considering a presidential run, are expected to intensify. Kim Jaewon, head of media strategy for the Moonsoo Kim campaign, said in an SBS radio interview on this day, "If Acting President Han runs for president, former Minister Kim will naturally reach out and suggest working together," adding, "Whether that means unification or a grand coalition, we are committed to the principle of working together." Kim's camp has also raised the possibility of forming an alliance with Lee Nakyon, senior advisor for the New Future party, who is being mentioned as a potential presidential candidate.
However, senior advisor Lee has expressed skepticism about unification discussions with former Minister Kim. In a broadcast interview the previous day, he said, "If it is necessary to overcome a national crisis, I will not hesitate to cooperate," but added, "First, the People Power Party must clearly clarify its position on the state of emergency and the impeachment of the former president." Lee's stance is that an alliance would be difficult unless former President Yoon Seokyeol and the People Power Party draw a clear line on these issues. While former Minister Kim has been critical of the state of emergency, he has expressed opposition to impeachment, creating a significant gap between his views and those of senior advisor Lee.
If former leader Han becomes the presidential candidate, a different scenario could unfold. In a CBS radio interview on this day, Han stated regarding unification with Acting President Han, "I am willing to talk with anyone and join forces with anyone." However, he also pointed out the problems with discussing unification at this stage, saying, "With an important party primary underway, it would undermine the meaning of the primary to discuss unification in detail with someone who is neither a party member nor has declared candidacy." While leaving open the possibility of unification with Acting President Han, he objected to the current timing of such discussions.
Han, who has spoken of the inevitability of the impeachment of former President Yoon, is relatively well-aligned with senior advisor Lee, who has called for a clear stance on impeachment and related issues. Additionally, Han does not have significant differences with Lee Junseok, the Reform Party's presidential candidate, who has maintained a critical stance toward former President Yoon since the state of emergency. As a result, the possibility of unification remains open.
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