Intense negotiations between Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and independent candidate Han Deok-soo ended in failure late on May 9, 2025, as both sides struggled to agree on the method of unification ahead of the presidential candidate registration deadline. The discussions, which took place in the National Assembly, were marked by disagreements over the public opinion polling method, specifically the inclusion of a 'reverse selection prevention clause'.
The first round of negotiations began at 8:30 PM and was suspended after just 20 minutes due to fundamental differences in approach. Kim's representatives argued that asking about party affiliation in the polls was inappropriate, claiming, "It is fundamentally wrong to ask about party support when negotiating unification with an independent candidate." In contrast, Han's side insisted that the negotiations were aimed at selecting the People Power Party's candidate, not merely an independent candidate.
As the night progressed, the second round of negotiations resumed at 10:30 PM but also ended in failure after approximately 30 minutes. Han's team proposed a method that involved a 50% split between party member votes and public opinion polls, a method used in their primary elections. However, Kim's side firmly rejected this, advocating instead for a 100% public opinion poll.
The breakdown of these negotiations prompted the People Power Party's leadership to initiate the process for candidate replacement. Following the conclusion of the talks, Kim's chief of staff, Kim Jae-won, expressed frustration, stating, "We proposed a survey involving over 3,000 participants, but Han's side refused to negotiate unless we included questions about party affiliation, which we found unacceptable." He further criticized Han's team for allegedly trying to undermine the legitimacy of the party's selected candidate.
Han's representatives countered by asserting that their proposed method was the fairest, as it respected the process through which Kim had previously won the party primary. They expressed disappointment that Kim's team did not accept a method they believed to be equitable. Son Young-taek, a former secretary to the Prime Minister and part of Han's team, stated, "We cannot agree to a method that allows Democratic Party supporters to influence our candidate selection. That is simply unacceptable."
The court's decision earlier that day to dismiss Kim's injunctions aimed at preventing the party's candidate exchange significantly influenced the urgency of the negotiations. Kim had sought legal intervention to stop the party from replacing him, claiming that such an action would be illegal. However, with the court's ruling, the path for the party to consider a candidate change became clearer.
As the negotiations unfolded, tensions within the party escalated. Kim, who had been vocal about his opposition to forced unification, stated, "The party leadership is using illegal and unfair means to try to remove me and install Han as the candidate. I will not comply with any forced unification that seeks to make Han the party's nominee." His comments highlighted the deepening rift between him and the party's leadership, which had been increasingly vocal about the need for a unified candidate to challenge the opposition.
During an earlier meeting of the party's lawmakers, Kim had expressed his refusal to comply with the party's unification schedule, asserting that the leadership was employing improper tactics to oust him. He called for an immediate cessation of what he described as anti-democratic actions, stating, "I urge everyone to trust me. I will lead us to victory. Let’s move forward together!" His passionate speech, however, was met with a stern response from Kwon Young-se, the party's emergency committee chairman, who expressed disappointment in Kim's stance and emphasized the need for compromise.
Despite the tensions, there were moments of levity earlier in the day. Kim was received warmly at the lawmakers' meeting, where he was greeted with applause and affection from his colleagues. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as he announced his refusal to participate in the proposed unification, leading to heated exchanges among party members.
The ongoing discord within the People Power Party raises questions about the future of its candidate for the upcoming presidential election. With the registration deadline fast approaching on May 11, the party's leadership is now faced with the challenge of either convincing Kim to agree to a unification strategy or proceeding with the process of candidate replacement.
As the situation develops, the ramifications of these failed negotiations could significantly impact the party's strategy moving forward. The urgency for a unified candidate grows, especially in light of the upcoming election, making the stakes higher than ever.
Ultimately, the breakdown of negotiations between Kim Moon-soo and Han Deok-soo reflects broader tensions within the People Power Party as it grapples with internal divisions and the pressing need for a cohesive strategy ahead of the presidential election.
