"Kim Minseok Predicts Political Landscape: 'Any Unification Between Kim Moonsoo and Han Ducksoo Will Be Meaningless'"

"No Chance of Presidential Victory Whether Kim Moonsoo or Han Ducksoo Is Chosen"
Unification Talks Driven by Party Leadership Battle, Not Presidential Race

Kim Minseok, Standing Co-Chair of the Democratic Party's Election Countermeasures Committee, predicted the political landscape following the unification talks between Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and Han Ducksoo, the independent preliminary candidate, on May 7. Kim stated, "Any form of unification will be meaningless."

On this day, through social media, Kim described the "Kim Moonsoo-Han Ducksoo unification fight as a proxy war for far-right leadership between Jeon Kwanghoon and Yoon Sukyeol, and not a battle for presidential victory, but rather a prelude to a power struggle within the party after a presidential defeat."

Kim Minseok, Standing Co-Chair of the Democratic Party's Joint Election Countermeasures Committee, is speaking at a press briefing held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

He also said that he would prepare for the possibility that Kim Moonsoo, who has been nominated as the People Power Party's presidential candidate, could become the final unified candidate. Kim explained, "We will not underestimate the possibility that Kim Moonsoo could emerge as the winner of the unification game, and we will prepare for the rough and fierce battle he is likely to wage. Having converted from a hardline activist background, Kim Moonsoo, like other conservative politicians with similar histories, is highly likely to pursue even more extreme politics. He is also likely to succeed in his plan to undermine and sink Han Ducksoo's weak moral standing in the unification debates, using the legitimacy of his nomination as the official candidate." Kim added, "If Kim Moonsoo succeeds in maintaining his candidacy, I will fundamentally criticize his far-right ideology and defense of insurrection, which would turn post-election Korean politics into an even more tumultuous battleground."

If Han Ducksoo becomes the unified candidate, Kim predicted a relentless offensive. Referring to Han as the former acting prime minister, Kim stated, "He will fundamentally fail to overcome the five major barriers of naejumubang (insurrection, shamanism, lack of loyalty, incompetence, and bulletproofing). Furthermore, the reality of being the greatest traitor since liberation?having defended the Lone Star 'eat-and-run' incident, amassed 2 billion won at Kim & Chang after retirement, and nearly ruined customs negotiations?will be exposed to the public. Even if he wins the unification game, far from winning the presidency, he will face the end of his vain greed, with his entire life laid bare before the anger of the people."

Regarding the possibility of Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party's presidential candidate, and Lee Nakyon, Senior Advisor to the New Future Democratic Party, joining a "big tent," Kim said, "Regardless of whether Kim Moonsoo or Han Ducksoo is the candidate, even if others join, there will be no positive effect. On the contrary, they are worried about even losing their minimal base because of the People Power Party's image. Any form of unification will be meaningless," he predicted.

Meanwhile, Kim also demanded an apology from the Supreme Court. Regarding the Supreme Court's unusual decision to quickly remand Lee's Public Official Election Act case, Kim argued, "The public's anger was provoked by Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae himself. If the political judges of the Supreme Court do not sincerely apologize to the people for participating in a political ruling that intervenes in the presidential election without even reading the records and disregarding judicial restraint, they will inevitably face the people's anger directly."