Kim Moonsoo and Han Ducksoo to Meet on the Evening of the 7th
Dramatic Agreement Unlikely
Party Ramps Up Pressure with General Assembly and Opinion Poll
Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Han Ducksoo, the former Prime Minister and an independent presidential candidate, will meet on May 7 to discuss unifying their candidacies. Most observers believe that a dramatic agreement is unlikely to be reached at this meeting. The People Power Party has increased pressure by holding a general assembly of lawmakers for three consecutive days and even pushing ahead with a party-wide opinion poll.
On this day, candidate Kim and former Prime Minister Han will meet privately at 6 p.m. at an undisclosed location, which will be revealed at the scheduled time. The meeting was proposed by Kim. Around 10 p.m. on May 6, Kim called Han to arrange the meeting.
Although Kim initiated the meeting, most analysts believe it is difficult to expect a dramatic breakthrough from a single encounter. While proposals regarding the method or timeline for unification could be presented, the situation is considered too complicated for a decisive agreement to be reached.
For now, disagreements persist regarding both the timing and the methodology of unification. Kim's camp is advocating for a unification process in which one side yields after negotiations, followed by a nomination by acclamation. Without specifying a particular date, hardliners in Kim's camp insist that the process should be completed before May 25, when ballot papers are to be printed. A lawmaker close to Kim stated, "The timing and method of unification should be decided by the two candidates themselves," adding, "The party and its leadership should stop making unhelpful comments about unification."
In contrast, Han and the party have set May 11, the deadline for candidate registration, as the final cutoff. They have proposed unification through an opinion poll. Lee Junghyun, former Saenuri Party leader and spokesperson for Han's campaign, stated on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show' that "unification must occur before May 11 for there to be any chance of winning the election," and argued, "Regardless of who becomes the candidate, they will need the party's support, so a unification that completely excludes the party is neither feasible nor appropriate."
The ongoing tug-of-war between Kim and the party leadership is also a variable. Kim has invoked his priority in party affairs and demanded an immediate halt to the scheduled opinion poll, but the party proceeded regardless. Starting at 9 a.m. on this day, the party began a full survey of all members, asking for their views on unification and its timing. The party explained that the survey would continue as planned in case the two candidates fail to reach an agreement.
The party is holding another general assembly on this day, following sessions on May 5 and 6, to revisit the unification issue between Kim and Han. Kim's camp has not yet notified the party of his attendance. Accordingly, the People Power Party scheduled the general assembly for 2:30 p.m. and floor leader Park Hyungsoo, along with floor spokespersons Park Sumin and Seo Jiyeong, reached out to Kim's camp, but were unable to meet Kim or receive a definite answer regarding his attendance. A source from Kim's camp stated, "There are no plans to attend the general assembly at this time, and we cannot disclose any other schedules."
In this situation, some analysts believe Kim has entered a phase of stalling. By buying time through a unification process with an uncertain deadline and expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership, he is shifting the blame for the stalled unification onto the party. As the gap in support between the two candidates is not large, some predict that if Kim holds out, his supporters may rally around him. A party official commented, "Even if we lose the presidential election, there will be a party convention in July or August, so there may be an intention to seize control of the party," adding, "If Kim tries to hold out using every possible means, it will cause chaos within the party and the power struggle will continue."
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