Over 10 conservative candidates likely to join presidential race

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party announces his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election in front of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

A string of prominent conservative figures have announced or will soon announce their candidacy for the upcoming presidential race, as the nation will hold a snap election on June 3 following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol last Friday over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration.

Unlike the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) which has the most powerful presidential contender, its leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the conservative People Power Party (PPP), which was the ruling party before Yoon's removal, does not have any single stand-out candidate. Amid this situation, more than 10 contenders are projected to join the party’s primary, setting the stage for a crowded and fiercely competitive race.

On Tuesday, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo declared his intention to run in the 21st presidential election, becoming the first PPP member to make the announcement.

"We must move beyond internal strife toward party unity, beyond national division toward societal harmony and beyond political chaos toward national progress to achieve our ‘predestined future,’" he said during the declaration ceremony at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.

Ahn apologized to the public, saying he was partially responsible for Yoon’s rise to the presidency, referring to the 2022 presidential election where Yoon and Ahn agreed on a single candidacy for the conservative bloc. At the time, Ahn gave up the race to support Yoon and later was appointed to lead Yoon’s presidential transition committee.

"Korea need a leader who can understand and unify people from all walks of life, not a leader who divides people with distorted views," he said.

Outlining his vision, Ahn pledged to pursue constitutional reforms, including the adoption of a four-year, two-term presidency and a multi-member district electoral system.

He also vowed to launch a five-year economic development plan focused on cultivating 1 million AI specialists and boosting innovation in AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity and health care.

Additionally, he promised to push forward major reforms in five critical sectors — pensions, education, labor, health care and public administration — along with a broader initiative to modernize diplomacy, national defense and economic security.

Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo speaks to reporters after tendering his resignation during a Cabinet meeting at Government Complex Seoul, Monday, to participate in the presidential race. Yonhap

Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, who has consistently topped opinion polls for a potential presidential contender from the conservative bloc, tendered his resignation during a Cabinet meeting on the same day to formally kick off his presidential campaign.

Speaking to reporters at Government Complex Seoul, Kim said he decided to resign and run for president because "the people want it, and so do those who know me."

"Given the many national challenges we face, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to help resolve them," he said. "I believe it is essential for all citizens to come together to overcome the national crisis and help Korea grow into a greater nation. I will do my part to contribute to that effort."

Kim rose to prominence as a leading pro-Yoon and hardline conservative figure after defending the disgraced former president through the martial law crisis and impeachment proceedings.

In a Gallup Korea poll released last Friday, Kim ranked second among potential contenders following Rep. Lee of the DPK who garnered 34 percent. Kim placed first among PPP candidates, with 24 percent of the party’s supporters backing him.

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who opposed the impeachment of Yoon, is set to hold a resignation ceremony on Friday before officially announcing his presidential bid in Yeouido, Seoul, next Monday.

Meanwhile, figures who had supported Yoon’s impeachment — including former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon — are widely expected to formalize their presidential bids this week.

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon delivers a lecture during a forum at the Westin Josun Hotel in downtown Seoul, March 24. Yonhap

Besides them, six to seven more figures are reportedly considering participating in the race.

Among sitting lawmakers, Reps. Kim Gi-hyeon, Na Kyung-won and Yoon Sang-hyun are being floated as possible candidates.

Outside the National Assembly, former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, a close ally of Yoon, and former Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan, aligned with former President Park Geun-hye, are also considered likely contenders, as well as Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and South Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Tae-heum.

The PPP formed its election committee, appointing former interim leader Hwang Woo-yea as its chair.

The committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Wednesday to discuss the primary schedule and rules.