Kim Moon-soo To Meet Han Duck-soo Amid Unification Talks

On May 6, 2025, Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate from the People’s Power Party, announced that he will meet privately with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on May 7 at 6 PM. This meeting comes as Kim faces increasing pressure to unify the party following his selection as the presidential candidate.

Kim emphasized in a public statement that he proposed the meeting with Han, stating, "There should be no unnecessary debate regarding unification," and underscoring that the process should be led by the presidential candidate. The location for the meeting will be disclosed later on May 6.

Han Duck-soo had suggested meeting Kim over tea three times on May 5, indicating his eagerness to discuss unification strategies. The atmosphere surrounding the upcoming meeting is tense, with speculation that Kim is seeking to take control of the unification process amid ongoing pressures from the party leadership.

On the same day, Kwon Young-se, chairman of the People’s Power Party's special countermeasures committee, announced plans to conduct an opinion poll regarding unification support until May 11. This decision has been met with criticism from Kim, who demanded the cancellation of the poll, stating that it undermines party unity. He asserted, "The unnecessary opinion poll is an act that harms the unity of the party and should be immediately suspended."

Kim's demands reflect a growing frustration with the party’s leadership, which he feels is not recognizing him as the official candidate. He stated, "The party leadership should cease all involvement in unification and immediately stop related activities. From now on, unification will be entirely led by the presidential candidate."

Additionally, Kim plans to meet separately with other candidates who participated in the primary to engage in meaningful discussions about current issues. This move suggests that he is keen to establish a collaborative approach as he navigates the complexities of the unification process.

In a related development, Kwon Sung-dong, the floor leader of the People’s Power Party, visited Kim’s residence in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, after a general meeting of lawmakers. He commented on the upcoming meeting between Kim and Han, expressing hope that both candidates would honor their commitments to the public.

Kim's request for the party leadership to withdraw from the unification discussions reflects a significant shift in the dynamics within the People’s Power Party. He criticized the leadership for pushing ahead with a national convention and the opinion poll without his consent, suggesting that this undermines his position as the candidate.

Kim’s stance has been reinforced by the ongoing tensions within the party, especially following Kwon Young-se's announcement about the planned national convention between May 10 and May 11. In light of this, Kim has called for the party to focus on supporting him in the upcoming election rather than engaging in internal disputes.

During a recent visit to Pohang, Kim engaged with local citizens, further solidifying his campaign efforts. His proactive approach aims to build a strong connection with voters while navigating the internal challenges of his party.

As the meeting between Kim and Han approaches, observers are keen to see how the dynamics of their discussions will shape the future of the People’s Power Party and the potential for unification. With the election looming, the stakes are high, and both candidates are under pressure to present a united front.

In conclusion, Kim Moon-soo's insistence on leading the unification process and his demands for party leadership to step back highlight the complexities of political maneuvering within the People’s Power Party. As the meeting with Han Duck-soo takes place, the outcome could significantly impact the party's strategy leading up to the presidential election.