Kim Moonsoo and Han Ducksoo Face Fierce Standoff Over Unification
Leadership Pushes for “Internal Unification” Amid Legal Battles
Infighting Deepens... No Synergy, Only Division Within the Party
With the registration period for the 21st presidential election candidates (May 10-11) just one day away, the People Power Party has fallen into unprecedented internal turmoil in the history of Korean politics. The party leadership, which until March had served as the ruling party, has even resorted to a hunger strike in what is effectively an attempt to replace its presidential candidate. In response, Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is taking legal action against the party.
The party's plan to win public support through candidate unification with Han Ducksoo, the independent preliminary presidential candidate and former Prime Minister, has backfired, resulting in a mudslinging aftermath that has plunged the June 3 presidential election itself into chaos. There is growing criticism that the election is no longer the party’s main concern, with the focus instead shifting to a power struggle over party leadership after June.
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Han Ducksoo, an independent presidential preliminary candidate, are meeting on May 8 at the Riverside Library in the National Assembly to discuss candidate unification. 2025.5.8 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
A scene that symbolizes this vortex of confusion was the second showdown between Kim and Han on the afternoon of May 8 in the courtyard of a caf? within the National Assembly. Both men, now in their mid-70s, engaged in a heated verbal battle without yielding an inch, ultimately leaving with nothing but the bitterness of a fruitless negotiation. The meeting was broadcast live on TV and YouTube, and from start to finish, the atmosphere was chaotic, with even near-abusive shouting from certain supporters aired without censorship.
Kim and Han are also considering a third meeting for candidate unification on May 9. However, it remains unclear whether they will be able to find common ground, as Han is pushing to conclude negotiations by the 9th at the latest, while Kim suggests either holding a primary after joining the party or registering as an independent, campaigning, and then pursuing unification next week.
Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations between Kim and Han, the People Power Party leadership, including Emergency Committee Chair Kwon Youngse and Floor Leader Kwon Sungdong, is proceeding with its own unification process. From 7 p.m. on May 8 to 4 p.m. on May 9, they are conducting a poll that reflects 50% party member votes and 50% public opinion. The leadership plans to confirm the candidate who ranks first as the final nominee at the National Committee meeting scheduled for May 11.
The problem is that Kim's camp has filed for an injunction with the court to nullify the National Committee meeting. This means that the judiciary now holds the key to determining the main opposition party’s presidential candidate. In the worst-case scenario, the People Power Party may fail to field a unified candidate, or even if they do, it could be a “unification in name only,” leaving deep wounds. Both inside and outside the party, there are hopes for a dramatic last-minute agreement, but without concessions from either side, the mood remains pessimistic.
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Han Ducksoo, an independent presidential preliminary candidate, are greeting each other after their second meeting for candidate unification at Sarangjae in the National Assembly on May 8, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
It is almost unprecedented in Korean political history for a major party that has produced a president to face such confusion on the eve of candidate registration for a presidential election.
Even during the previous 20th presidential election, while there were conflicts between then People Power Party Chairman Lee Junseok and candidate Yoon Sukyeol, the situation did not escalate to the level of open insults or lawsuits as it has now. Some are voicing concerns that the so-called “Seal Scandal” of 2016, when then-Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung refused to stamp the nomination papers due to a conflict with President Park Geun-hye ahead of the 20th general election, could repeat itself.
The key issues are the results of the unification poll being conducted by the People Power Party leadership, expected on May 9, and the outcome of the injunction filed by Kim’s camp. If Kim wins the poll, he could naturally be confirmed as the final candidate. If Han wins, the court’s decision becomes crucial. If the court rejects the injunction, Han could become the final candidate at the National Committee meeting on May 11. If the injunction is accepted, the conflict between Kim and the party leadership will inevitably intensify.
Even if Han wins the poll and the court rejects the injunction, if Kim refuses to accept the result and pursues further legal action, there remains the possibility that, in the worst case, the People Power Party may not be able to register its main candidate on May 11.
Lee Junghyun, spokesperson for Han Ducksoo’s camp, told reporters on this day, “Today (the 9th) is the most important day so far. If we win the poll and the party nominates Han as the final candidate, we will follow that decision. If we lose, we will accept the result.”
Kwon Sungdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, has been continuing a hunger strike for three days at the National Assembly on the 9th, urging presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo to promptly unify with independent preliminary candidate Han Deoksu. 2025.5.9 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
There are growing concerns both inside and outside the party that the internal conflict has already become too severe to mend. People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sanghyun has even proposed a “Plan B,” suggesting that 20 lawmakers leave the party, form a new party, and field Han as candidate number 3.
Hong Joonpyo, former mayor of Daegu who declared his retirement from politics after losing the primary, sharply criticized the party leadership, including Emergency Committee Chair Kwon Youngse and Floor Leader Kwon Sungdong, on social media, saying, “Ever since those two brought in Yoon Sukyeol three years ago, the party has been in decline, and now, once again, reckless actions are dragging the party into the mire.”
With Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate and main rival, leading in the polls, the People Power Party and its conservative supporters, who had hoped for a dramatic turnaround through a convention effect, are now deeply troubled. The prevailing analysis is that unless Kim and Han produce a reversal, it will be difficult for the People Power Party to expect any synergy from unification in the main election.
An official within the People Power Party leadership commented, “Changing the candidate is the last resort. From the leadership’s perspective, it would be less burdensome if there is a significant difference in preference between Kim and Han in the poll results. If the result falls within the margin of error, it will be extremely problematic.”
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