In a dramatic turn of events within South Korea's People Power Party, presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo held an emergency press conference on May 8, 2025, at 8:50 AM at his campaign office in Yeouido. Kim's press conference was a response to the party leadership's push for a coercive unification with another candidate, Han Deok-soo, which he vehemently opposed.
Kim Moon-soo demanded that the party leadership cease all attempts at what he termed "coercive unification," warning that such actions could lead to legal disputes. He stated, "I will not yield to any injustice" and emphasized that the ongoing pressure to unify with Han Deok-soo was an attempt to eliminate him as the legitimate presidential candidate.
During the press conference, Kim expressed his frustration over the party's actions since the convention held on May 3, stating, "There hasn't been a moment of peace since the party convention. The leadership's attempts to remove me as the elected presidential candidate were confirmed late last night." He questioned the party's motives, asking, "What is the reason for trying to eliminate me in favor of a candidate who has not even registered for the presidential race?"
Kim's allegations pointed to a premeditated plan by the party leadership to support Han Deok-soo, a candidate who had declared he would not register for the election. He challenged Han directly, asking if he had prior knowledge of the party's strategy while the primary elections were ongoing. "Did you know about this scenario beforehand?" Kim questioned, implying collusion between Han and the party leadership.
To counter the party's unilateral decisions, Kim invoked his party priority rights as outlined in Article 74 of the party regulations, which grants presidential candidates specific rights over party affairs. He stated, "From this moment, I demand that the party leadership cease their coercive unification demands and focus on uniting against Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party."
In a bold move, Kim proposed a timeline for unification that included a broadcast debate scheduled for May 14, followed by public opinion surveys on May 15 and 16. He insisted that these measures would allow for a fairer and more transparent unification process, stating, "We need synergy and verification for this unification to be meaningful. A forced unification will not gain public support."
Kim also declared that he would not participate in any debate unilaterally decided by the party, labeling it illegal. He expressed his determination to continue working towards a collaborative agreement with Han Deok-soo, stating, "I will continue sincere efforts to reach an agreement for the sake of the nation."
Following Kim's press conference, the People Power Party's leadership convened an emergency countermeasures committee meeting to address his claims. Kwon Young-se, the chairman of the committee, reaffirmed the party's commitment to proceed with the planned debate and public opinion surveys, stating, "We have only two days left for unification, and I will take full responsibility for the process."
Kwon also countered Kim's allegations, asserting that Kim himself had brought Han Deok-soo into the race. "If a presidential candidate makes a wrong decision, the party must intervene to correct it," Kwon stated, reinforcing the party's position against Kim's demands.
Floor leader Kwon Seong-dong criticized Kim's actions, describing his press conference as a "desperate attempt" to cling to his candidacy. "It’s a pathetic sight," he added, reflecting the growing tension within the party.
As the deadline for unification approaches, Kim Moon-soo remains under immense pressure from the party leadership to finalize the unification with Han Deok-soo by May 12, 2025. However, Kim's steadfast refusal to comply with what he perceives as unjust demands has set the stage for a potential legal battle and further internal conflict within the People Power Party.
With the political landscape in South Korea becoming increasingly contentious, the outcome of this power struggle could significantly impact the party's chances in the upcoming presidential election. The public is left to wonder whether Kim's bold stance will resonate with voters or if the party leadership's strategy will prevail.
