In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) reinstated Kim Moon Soo as its presidential candidate on May 10, 2025, following an intense internal struggle that nearly saw him replaced. This decision came just one day before the deadline for candidates to register with the National Election Commission, underscoring the urgency and tension within the party.
The PPP had convened a party-wide vote to address the leadership's controversial proposal to revoke Kim's candidacy and replace him with former Prime Minister Han Duck Soo. This move was prompted by failed negotiations aimed at unifying the party's candidates, as Han had been gaining traction in public opinion polls.
According to PPP spokesman Shin Dong Wook, the proposal to re-select the presidential candidate was narrowly rejected, although the exact voting numbers were not disclosed. He indicated that more than half of the party members' votes were necessary to pass the motion to revoke Kim's candidacy. Following the vote, the PPP officially announced the restoration of Kim's candidacy, allowing him to register with the election commission on May 11, 2025, which is the final deadline for candidate registration.
"I will immediately form my campaign committee and establish a broad alliance to return to the race for the presidential election scheduled for June 3, 2025," Kim stated, welcoming the party's decision. His return to the candidacy comes at a critical time, as the election approaches and the stakes rise for the PPP.
In the aftermath of the vote, Han Duck Soo expressed his acceptance of the party's decision, stating that he hopes Kim and the PPP will succeed in the upcoming election. This sentiment reflects a broader concern within the party regarding the need for unity to face the main opposition candidate, Lee Jae Myung of the Democratic Party (DP), who has been leading in the polls.
Kwon Young Se, head of the PPP's Emergency Committee, expressed regret over the inability to present a single candidate through political compromise and even offered to resign in light of the situation. The party had initially chosen Kim as its candidate through internal voting on May 3, 2025, but leadership pressures to consolidate votes for Han led to the chaotic series of events.
The PPP's leadership was increasingly concerned that if Kim and Han could not agree on a unified candidacy, their chances against Lee, who has recently expanded his lead in public opinion, would diminish significantly. Polls released prior to the vote showed Lee Jae Myung with 43% support, while Han and Kim trailed with 23% and 12%, respectively.
As the situation unfolded, Kim criticized the PPP's attempts to replace him as a "midnight political coup" and an "unprecedented anti-democratic act." He announced intentions to take legal action against the party's leadership for their attempts to merge his campaign with Han's. This included filing a petition with the court to prevent the cancellation of his candidacy, although the court rejected his request on May 9, 2025.
The backdrop of this political turmoil is a deeply divided conservative bloc in South Korea, which has raised concerns about the party's ability to secure a victory in the upcoming election. With both Kim and Han being prominent figures within the party, their inability to unify could jeopardize the PPP's chances against the DP's Lee, who has shown considerable strength in recent polling.
As the deadline for candidate registration looms, the PPP plans to finalize its candidate selection and announce the official nominee at the National Committee meeting scheduled for May 11, 2025. This meeting is crucial, as it will determine the party's strategy moving forward in a highly competitive political landscape.
In summary, the reinstatement of Kim Moon Soo as the PPP's presidential candidate marks a significant moment in South Korean politics, highlighting the internal divisions and pressures faced by the ruling party. With the presidential election set for June 3, 2025, all eyes will be on how the PPP navigates these challenges and whether it can rally behind Kim to mount a successful campaign against the formidable opposition.
