Han Duck-Soo Sets Deadline For Presidential Unification

On May 7, 2025, Han Duck-soo, an independent prospective candidate for the South Korean presidential election, made a bold declaration that could reshape the political landscape. He announced that he would not register as a preliminary candidate unless a unification agreement with Kim Moon-soo, the candidate from the People Power Party, is reached. With the candidate registration deadline looming on May 11, Han's ultimatum puts pressure on Kim to negotiate a merger of their candidacies.

During a press conference held at his campaign office in Yeouido, Han expressed his frustration with the ongoing political maneuvering. “I have no intention of deceiving the public with fake opinion polls,” he stated, criticizing politicians who engage in political line-following. His comments come amid concerns that the public is weary of prolonged political negotiations that seem to lead nowhere.

While Kim Moon-soo’s camp previously believed that unification could be achieved by the opinion poll manipulation date of May 25, Han set a firmer deadline of May 11, emphasizing that failure to unify by then would preclude his candidacy as number two on the ballot. “I am open to any unification method, including opinion polls and TV debates, as long as the process is fair and legitimate,” he insisted, reiterating his commitment to accept the results without complaint.

Han further stated that he has entrusted all decisions regarding the unification method to the People Power Party, urging them to act swiftly. “Decide and execute immediately,” he instructed, indicating he would not be involved in further discussions.

Later that day, at 6 PM, Han Duck-soo met with Kim Moon-soo at a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for a discussion on unification. This meeting lasted approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and was conducted without aides present. However, the meeting ended without any agreements or plans for further discussions. Kim Moon-soo later told reporters that Han had merely reiterated his stance of leaving all decisions to the party without offering any concrete proposals.

“There was no meaningful progress,” Kim remarked after the meeting, highlighting the lack of new ideas or solutions to move the unification process forward. Han’s spokesperson, Lee Jung-hyun, confirmed that there were no agreements reached during the dinner and that both candidates would adhere to their previously stated positions.

Adding to the tension, Kim Jae-won, Kim Moon-soo’s campaign secretary, criticized Kwon Young-se, the head of the emergency countermeasures committee, for allegedly attempting to undermine Kim Moon-soo’s candidacy. Jae-won claimed that Kwon sought out Hwang Woo-yeo, the former chairman of the election management committee, to manipulate the candidate selection process, further complicating the already fraught negotiations.

The People Power Party is now facing a critical juncture, with an emergency general meeting scheduled for 9 PM on the same day to discuss the unification deadlock. Party leadership has emphasized the need to finalize the unification process by the candidate registration deadline of May 11, as the party grapples with internal divisions and external pressures.

As the clock ticks down to the registration deadline, the stakes are high for both candidates. Han Duck-soo’s ultimatum has created a sense of urgency, forcing Kim Moon-soo to weigh his options carefully. The potential for a unified front could significantly alter the dynamics of the upcoming presidential election, but the path to achieving that unity remains fraught with challenges.

With both candidates expressing a willingness to unify but failing to find common ground, the political landscape remains uncertain. Observers are left wondering if a last-minute compromise can be reached or if the candidates will head into the election divided, potentially diminishing their chances against the competition.

As the situation develops, the public will be watching closely to see how the candidates navigate these turbulent waters. The outcome of their negotiations could set the tone for the presidential race, influencing not only their political futures but also the broader electoral landscape in South Korea.