Han: "Let's Decide Unification Now" vs Kim: "Sudden Demand"... Second Meeting Ends Without Agreement

Despite an Hour-Long Meeting, No Progress on Unification
Han Ducksoo: "Let's Settle This Today or Tomorrow"
Kim Moonsoo Criticizes: "This Is Unprecedented in Party History"

The second meeting for candidate unification between Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Han Ducksoo, the independent preliminary presidential candidate and former Prime Minister, ended without any results. Former Prime Minister Han insisted, "Unification must be achieved by the 11th," but Kim countered, "How can you suddenly appear and hand me a unification bill?"

Kim Moonsoo and Han Ducksoo met at 4:30 p.m. on May 8 at an outdoor table at Sarangjae in the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to discuss the unification issue for over an hour. The meeting was broadcast live in its entirety as previously agreed.

Han: "Let's Decide Unification Now" vs Kim: "Sudden Demand"... Second Meeting Ends Without Agreement

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Han Ducksoo, an independent preliminary candidate, are meeting on the 8th at the National Assembly Riverside Library to discuss unification. 2025.5.8 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Former Prime Minister Han emphasized the need to achieve unification by the candidate registration deadline on the 11th, stating, "From April 19 to May 6, Kim mentioned unifying with Han Ducksoo 22 times over 18 days."

He added, "If we fail to achieve unification, to be honest, both Kim and I will be finished immediately," and continued, "We should not be overly bound by the thoughts of our aides. We are people who work for the nation and the people, so we must do well."

Regarding Kim's proposal for "one week of campaigning followed by unification next week," Han said, "Suggesting we do it in a week is the same as saying we shouldn't unify at all. Let's resolve this today or tomorrow. I will accept any method the party suggests."

He further explained, "Please, don't talk about doing it a week later. Let's do it this evening or tomorrow morning. Why can't we? If unification goes well, I will immediately join the People Power Party."

In response, Kim said, "I have always considered unification and have never said I would not pursue it. However, I was quite surprised when you said you would not register as a candidate unless unification is achieved by the 11th."

Kim continued, "If Han has decided to run, I think it is only natural for him to join the People Power Party. Why have you remained outside instead of joining?"

Kim said, "I went through the People Power Party's primary process to get here, but Han appeared late and is now suddenly demanding that the primary be completed by the 11th. Why do you show up after everything is over and present a unification bill?"

In response to the criticism of not participating in the People Power Party primary, Han said, "At the time of the primary, Korea was unable to set a direction due to the U.S. tariff bomb. In such a situation, it would not have been respectful to the people to irresponsibly abandon the position of acting president and say, 'I must run for president because it is more important.'"

He continued, "After working hard with the ministries to organize a response, I resigned on May 1 and declared my candidacy on May 2. So I think the question of why I did not join the People Power Party is really trivial."

Kim countered, "It is unprecedented in the history of political parties worldwide to demand unification from a candidate who was legitimately nominated as the People Power Party candidate."

Kim added, "Is it really possible to discuss unification with someone who has not joined the party and says he will not register as a candidate if unification fails? Even if I make every concession and agree to unification, my basic position is that at the very least, you should register as a candidate and campaign before discussing unification."

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Han Ducksoo, an independent presidential pre-candidate, are greeting each other after concluding their second meeting for candidate unification at Sarangjae in the National Assembly on May 8, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Despite more than an hour of discussion, the two candidates ended the meeting without finding a solution for unification.

After the meeting, Kim told reporters that he would "of course" accept if Han immediately joined the People Power Party and proposed holding a primary. He added, "It is unprecedented for the party leadership to push for unification with a candidate who says he will not register if unification fails, and to engage in all sorts of illegal acts."

Kim also criticized the People Power Party leadership for pushing ahead with unification between the two candidates, saying, "It is an act harmful to the party," and emphasized, "I will strictly hold accountable any actions that damage the party's official candidate."

Han maintained his position that "the minimum courtesy to the people is not to register as a candidate if unification is not achieved." However, he added, "Regardless of how unification turns out, I will do my utmost to support Kim. I will mobilize everything I have built up over the past 50 years to help."