ED 'Han Duck-soo factor'
This combined photo shows four candidates vying for the People Power Party (PPP) presidential nomination. From left are former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo. Yonhap
Acting president should clarify his stance soon
Four of the eight politicians vying for the People Power Party's (PPP) presidential nomination have advanced to the next stage of the competition. The four are former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo. Their selection was based on the results of a public opinion poll conducted among 4,000 respondents. However, the PPP has not disclosed the percentage of support each candidate received.
The four remaining candidates will participate in five rounds of debates to determine the final nominee. If one candidate secures more than 50 percent support in a subsequent public opinion poll later this month, he will be declared the winner immediately. If no candidate surpasses the 50 percent threshold, a runoff will be held, with the final nominee to be announced on May 3 — exactly one month ahead of the snap presidential election on June 3.
So far, the PPP primary has failed to impress the public. The two debates held during the first round were widely criticized as dull and unproductive. Rather than presenting policy visions, candidates spent much of their time attacking each other personally, relying on tired tactics that alienated viewers.
In the upcoming second round, the four contenders need to demonstrate that they have what it takes to defeat Rep. Lee Jae-myung, who is the frontrunner in the Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) own primary contest.
Regardless of who wins the PPP nomination, the road ahead remains uncertain. Looming over the race is the possibility of a late entry by acting President Han Duck-soo — a potential game-changer. While Han has yet to declare his candidacy, his silence is widely viewed not as indecision but as a strategic move.
Those close to Han suggest that this week’s 2+2 trade talks with the United States could serve as a critical juncture. The outcome of the negotiations, which come amid mounting concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, could either cement or derail Han’s political ambitions. If the talks result in a favorable deal for Korea, Han could leverage the success as evidence of his leadership and step into the race with strengthened credentials. Observers believe that if the negotiations go well, Han will declare his presidential bid shortly afterward.
Public opinion polls show that Han's popularity is on the rise. Since his first appearance in a survey released earlier this month, Han has steadily gained traction. In Gallup Korea's weekly poll on April 11, he garnered 2 percent support, tying with Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo. More significantly, a survey conducted by Jowon C&I and released on Wednesday ranked Han as the leading conservative candidate. He topped the poll with 28.7 percent support, followed by former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo (19.5 percent) and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo.
Han's growing support is adding complexity to the PPP primaries. Senior lawmakers in the party reportedly agree that a post-primary runoff may be necessary to unify the conservative camp and prevent a damaging vote split. With Han's appeal among conservative voters continuing to grow, the eventual PPP nominee could find themselves in a precarious position in emerging as the party’s standard-bearer, only to face a challenge from Han at the last minute.
This raises a critical question: If Han joins the race after the PPP primaries conclude, are the four current contenders prepared to enter a post-primary contest to unify the conservative ticket?
Their responses vary.
Kim has publicly expressed his willingness to work with Han to field a single conservative candidate. Hong has voiced support for the idea of forming a “big tent” party, calling it the most effective and only strategy to defeat the DPK’s nominee. However, he stopped short of committing to a second round of competition if he wins the PPP nomination.
Han Dong-hoon has rejected the idea of a post-primary showdown. He stated that forcing the PPP nominee to face an additional contest would be disrespectful to the party’s internal process. Rep. Ahn has not yet commented on whether he would support or oppose a unified contest with Han.
The candidates’ divergent positions suggest that the outcome of the PPP primary will not only determine the party’s nominee — but also shape the future of the conservative party heading into the election.