Support Campaigns in Swing and Weak Regions Such as Yeongnam and Chungcheong
Within the Party, Hopes Rise for Kim Moonsoo's Poll Rebound
Some Argue He Should Join the Election Committee for a 'One Team'
Pro-Kim Faction: "A Bigger Campaign Than Joining the Committee"
Handong Hoon, the former leader who placed second in the People Power Party’s presidential primary, will launch his own independent campaign activities in support of presidential candidate Moonsoo Kim starting May 20. With former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s departure from the People Power Party becoming a reality ahead of his first televised debate, Handong Hoon has begun efforts to prevent Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, from winning the election. Within the party, there are both rising expectations that Kim’s candidacy could regain support among moderates and some conservatives who had become distant, as well as criticism that Handong Hoon is engaging in self-centered politics.
According to Handong Hoon’s camp on May 19, he plans to encourage campaign staff and communicate with citizens in the Gwangalli area of Suyeong District, Busan, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 20. On May 21, he will campaign at Seomun Market in Daegu, and on May 22, he plans to visit Yukgeori Market in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, and Jungang Market in Wonju, Gangwon Province.
As presidential candidates visited the Yeongnam region last week, including Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) and Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (BUK), and as Lee Jaemyung began to outperform Kim Moonsoo in some results, Handong Hoon’s decision to join the campaign is seen as a response. Even after the presidential primary, Handong Hoon had used YouTube live broadcasts to criticize Lee Jaemyung and encourage people to join the party.
Handong Hoon (left) and Moonsoo Kim, presidential primary candidates of the People Power Party, are holding hands and stepping down from the stage at the 5th party convention held at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on May 3, 2025. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon
With just two weeks left until the presidential election, some assess that Handong Hoon’s campaign activities could give the People Power Party new momentum to overcome stagnant approval ratings. This is based on the analysis that, as Handong Hoon opposes martial law and supports the impeachment of former President Yoon, he may be able to attract votes from some moderates and moderate conservatives.
People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Youngjin said in a BBS interview that day, "Former President Yoon voluntarily left the party, and Handong Hoon also said he would join the campaign starting this week. In that sense, it seems our party, after being divided during the primary and the impeachment phase and disappointing our conservative base, is now gradually forming a united front. If that continues, the trend in support will likely change."
However, it appears Handong Hoon will not formally join the election campaign committee until Kim Moonsoo makes a decisive move. After Yoon Suk Yeol’s departure from the party the previous day, Handong Hoon wrote on Facebook, "Regardless of whether the three conditions are met?Kim’s apology for the impeachment, a complete break between the Yoon couple and the party, and drawing a clear line with the Free Unification Party?I am actively doing what I can for our party and will continue to do so."
There are also criticisms of Handong Hoon’s decision to campaign independently without joining the election committee, as it may be seen as self-serving politics that does not demonstrate party unity. People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo wrote on Facebook that day, "Now is the time to become a true 'one team.' Handong Hoon’s decision to campaign on the streets is good, but if he campaigns alone, the public may question who the campaign is really for," urging him to join the campaign committee.
In response, a member of Handong Hoon’s camp told Asia Economy, "This will repeatedly show that there are voices in the People Power Party that oppose martial law and support impeachment. It could become a bigger campaign than joining the election committee."
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