Acting president won't run in PPP presidential primary: floor leader
Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Acting President Han Duck-soo will not participate in the People Power Party's (PPP) presidential primary for the June 3 election, the party's floor leader said Tuesday, amid lingering speculation over Han's potential presidential bid.
Kweon Seong-dong confirmed Han's stance as the PPP is scheduled to close the candidate registration for the primary later in the day.
"Raising speculation about Han's candidacy is not helpful in drawing public interest in the primary, nor does it support his execution of major duties as an acting president," Kweon said during a party meeting.
Han Duck-soo, acting president, attends a meeting of the task force for strategies of economic security at his official residence in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
Han, who has appeared in recent polls as one of the most favored presidential candidates, said Monday he will fulfill his "final calling" by tackling the U.S. tariff crisis, which was widely interpreted as a dismissal of a potential presidential bid.
Kweon said the primary should focus on selecting a strong candidate who can defeat Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the liberal Democratic Party and a leading presidential hopeful, accusing Lee of obstructing government affairs.
"We have to overcome the forces led by Lee Jae-myung, who would drive the country into endless political strife and division," Kweon said, calling for party unity toward a common goal.