Ahn joins final four: PPP confirms lineup for second-round primary

This combination photo shows, from left, Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo who have advanced to the second round of the People's Power Party's presidential primary. Yonhap

The People Power Party (PPP) confirmed the four contenders who will advance to the second round of its presidential primary, narrowing the field and setting the stage for the June 3 snap presidential election.

In Tuesday’s announcement, former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, former Justice Minister and party leader Han Dong-hoon, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo were confirmed as the candidates moving forward. While the top three had been widely expected to qualify, Ahn's advancement over Na Kyung-won reflected growing support for reform-minded candidates among PPP voters.

The two-day poll, conducted from Sunday to Monday, surveyed 4,000 voters identified as PPP supporters or politically unaffiliated. Supporters of rival parties were excluded to ensure the integrity of the poll. The party has said that rankings and vote shares will remain confidential to avoid influencing the next phase of voting.

Ahn, who backed the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, focused his campaign on reform and expanding the party’s reach. His presence in the final four, alongside Han Dong-hoon, suggests that voices calling for institutional change will have greater influence in the next stage. In contrast, Kim and Hong have campaigned on traditional conservative platforms and emphasized party unity.

Hwang Woo-yea, chairman of the People Power Party's election commission, announces the candidates advancing to the second primary at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. The top four candidates who passed the first cut-off are Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo, in alphabetical order. Yonhap

Political analysts say Ahn’s advancement could shape the tone of the primary going forward. “If this poll shows signs that voters are making strategic decisions with June in mind,” said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, “that trend may continue into the second and third rounds.”

According to Shin, Ahn’s appeal to swing voters contrasts with Na’s focus on consolidating the party’s conservative base. He added that voters’ choices could significantly affect the PPP’s chances in the general election.

The rivalry between Ahn and Na intensified up to the first-round deadline. At a press conference in Daegu, Ahn accused Na of invoking her ties to Yoon when politically convenient, only to distance herself when challenged. Na fired back during a radio interview, likening Ahn to “a cuckoo laying eggs in another party’s nest,” and said he should consider leaving the PPP altogether.

With the final four now set, the PPP primary enters its second round with a more balanced field. The presence of both Ahn and Han signals that reformist voices — once considered outliers within the party — are now shaping its internal direction. Whether that influence carries through to the May 3 convention remains to be seen.

The second round will determine which two contenders advance to the party’s national convention. If no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will follow.

As the PPP moves into the next phase, it faces not just a choice of nominee, but a deeper question of what direction the party — and the conservative movement — will take in post-impeachment Korea.