Differences Over Timing of Unification With Acting President Han
Unified Voice on People Power Party-Led Unification
Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, and Han Donghoon, former party leader, who have advanced to the final two in the People Power Party presidential primary, engaged in a war of nerves over the possibility of unifying their candidacies with Han Ducksoo, the acting president and prime minister.
During the final debate held at TV Chosun in Jung-gu, Seoul, on April 30, Han asked Kim, "If you become the final candidate, are you willing to yield your position to Acting President Han?"
Kim responded, "If a candidate who was chosen through the hard work of party members and the public is to step aside, there must be a justifiable reason. I can't understand what grounds you are suggesting for such a concession."
The two also differed on the timing of a potential unification with Acting President Han.
Kim agreed with the argument that "unification with Acting President Han should take place immediately after the party convention," while Han remained noncommittal.
Kim stated, "The timing for discussing unification should be after our party's candidate has been selected. We cannot discuss unification before that. If Acting President Han runs as an independent, unification is absolutely necessary."
Han, holding up a sign indicating a neutral stance, said, "This is not the stage to discuss it." He added, "Right now, we need to focus on the final People Power Party primary. Making unification an issue is disrespectful to party members and does not help us win."
However, both candidates agreed that if unification were to occur, the People Power Party candidate should be at the center.
Han remarked, "It seems wrong that the party leadership asked Jeong Daecheol, president of the Constitutional Association from the Donggyo-dong faction, to urge Acting President Han to run." Kim concurred, saying, "Indirectly conveying such a message to Acting President Han is neither proper nor correct."
Han also addressed reports that Lee Nakyon, senior advisor to the New Future Democratic Party, and others demanded a change of the People Power Party's name as a condition for forming a 'big tent.' He said, "It pains me to think that party members might feel a sense of shame or lose confidence. While expansion is good, we should not hand over the initiative to figures from the Moon Jaein administration." He continued, "There are even rumors that Acting President Han has contacted Advisor Lee Nakyon. While we can work with anyone to win, the People Power Party must remain at the center."
In response, Kim said, "Even though there are many difficulties in the party, there are basic principles that must be upheld, and I believe this is wrong."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
