In a dramatic turn of events, the unification negotiations between Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo have collapsed, primarily due to disagreements over a contentious 'reverse discrimination prevention clause' in the opinion poll. The discussions, which took place on the evening of May 9, 2025, lasted only about 20 minutes before both sides decided to part ways without reaching a consensus.
According to reports, the negotiations were held at the National Assembly headquarters from 8:30 PM to 8:50 PM, with both camps sending two representatives each. Kim Jae-won, a former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, represented Kim Moon-soo, while Son Young-taek, a former secretary of the Prime Minister, spoke for Han Duck-soo. Lee Eui-yang, the head of administrative affairs, oversaw the meeting.
As the clock ticked, it became clear that the two camps were at an impasse. Kim’s side proposed conducting a general public opinion survey that would exclude the reverse discrimination prevention clause, which they deemed unnecessary. In contrast, Han’s camp firmly rejected this suggestion, insisting that the clause was essential to maintain the integrity of the candidate selection process.
Kim Jae-won expressed frustration after the negotiations broke down, stating, "There were no significant advancements. The person representing Han only reiterated his own claims, despite having previously agreed to delegate everything to the party." He emphasized that the discussions were not progressing and criticized Han’s representatives for not being willing to compromise.
On the other hand, Son Young-taek argued that it was unacceptable for supporters of Lee Jae-myung to participate in the People Power Party candidate selection process. He stated, "It is simply impossible for supporters of Lee Jae-myung to participate in selecting the candidate for the People Power Party. This is a fundamental principle that cannot be violated."
The tension between the camps was palpable as they clashed over the survey methods. Shin Dong-wook, a spokesperson for the People Power Party, noted that both sides had agreed on the need for a public opinion survey with a sample size of at least 3,000 participants. However, the disagreement over the inclusion of the reverse discrimination prevention clause proved to be a dealbreaker.
Kim's representatives pointed to past instances, such as the 2022 Seoul mayoral by-election, where the party's emergency response committee chairman had raised concerns about allowing supporters of other parties to influence the selection process. They argued that the current negotiations mirrored those previous situations, where fairness and transparency were at stake.
As the night wore on, both camps agreed to reconvene for further discussions at 10:30 PM, but the outlook remained uncertain. Observers were left wondering if any meaningful compromise could be reached before the impending deadline for candidate registration.
Despite the setbacks, Kim Jae-won remained resolute about his candidate's prospects. He declared, "Kim Moon-soo will register as a presidential candidate tomorrow, on May 10, 2025." This declaration underscored the urgency of the situation and the stakes involved in the negotiations.
In a subsequent statement, Kim's camp accused Han of trying to gain an unfair advantage in the negotiations. Kim Jae-won mentioned, "It seems that while they claim to delegate authority to the party, their true intention is to secure their own interests at the expense of the process."
This sentiment was echoed by other members of Kim’s team, who criticized Han’s camp for their rigid stance on the reverse discrimination prevention clause. They argued that such a clause would unfairly restrict participation and undermine the democratic process.
As the negotiations continued to unfold, the public remained keenly interested in the developments. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the political landscape leading up to the presidential election.
In a final attempt to salvage the negotiations, Kim's camp suggested a compromise that would allow for a more inclusive approach to the polling process. However, Han's camp stood firm, reiterating their position that any method allowing Lee Jae-myung's supporters to participate was non-negotiable.
As the clock struck midnight, the prospects for an agreement seemed increasingly dim. Kim Jae-won concluded, "If Han’s camp continues to refuse to budge on the reverse discrimination prevention clause, there will be no room for further negotiations." His words encapsulated the growing frustration within Kim’s camp as they prepared for the possibility of moving forward without a unified candidate.
Ultimately, the breakdown of these negotiations highlights the complexities and challenges inherent in political alliances. As both camps grapple with their positions, the future of the People Power Party’s candidate selection remains uncertain, leaving voters and party members alike on edge.
