Han Duck-soo’s presidential bid sparks fears of ‘Yoon 2.0’ among conservatives

Han Duck-soo, acting president and prime minister, wipes away tears while listening to the reading of a bereaved family's letter during the 2nd Fallen Medical Military and Police Servicemembers Remembrance Day ceremony at Daejeon National Cemetery, Friday. Yonhap

Han Duck-soo, Korea’s acting president and prime minister, is expected to announce his candidacy for the June 3 president election. But his likely bid is already raising concerns within the conservative bloc about the possibility of a repeat of the controversial leadership style and policies of Yoon Suk Yeol, whose presidency ended with impeachment.

As Han’s entry into the race seems increasingly inevitable, conservative leaders are scrambling to coordinate a swift alliance, hoping to avoid a scenario in which Han is seen as a direct extension of the disgraced Yoon administration.

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has already indicated it will portray Han as a symbol of continuity with Yoon’s presidency, which it alleges led to democratic backsliding and economic mismanagement.

Multiple sources report that Han has cleared his calendar this week, with a formal announcement possible as early as Wednesday. His departure from the Prime Minister’s Office would create a tight timeline for unification with the People Power Party (PPP), which is set to select its final presidential nominee on Saturday.

If Han joins the PPP, then May 11 — the final day for official candidate registration — would serve as the deadline for merging candidacies without logistical or legal complications.

From left, People Power Party presidential primary candidates Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo applaud during a media day for the second primary debate at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Meanwhile, Han has quietly built a small but dedicated campaign team composed primarily of trusted aides at the Prime Minister’s Office. The move signals that he has been laying the groundwork for a run even as he maintains official silence.

Three of the four PPP primary contenders — former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo and Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo — have publicly supported the idea of a showdown with Han. Hong proposed holding two rounds of televised debates followed by a public poll to decide the unified conservative candidate.

Kim and Ahn have similarly emphasized the need for a quick and fair coalition, while former PPP leader and ex-Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon has expressed general agreement with Han Duck-soo’s political position but refrained from specifying a unification plan.

Despite these efforts, concerns are growing within conservative circles.

Han’s approval ratings remain relatively low compared to previous political outsiders, such as former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

A recent poll by KBS and Korea Research shows that 70 percent of respondents oppose Han’s presidential bid, with only 23 percent offering support. The survey, conducted from Tuesday to Thursday among 3,000 adults nationwide, reveals widespread skepticism about his potential candidacy.

The DPK is already sharpening its attacks. Party spokespersons have even derided Han as a “co-conspirator” in Yoon’s controversial presidency and accused the PPP of insulting the electorate by putting him forward.

Some DPK lawmakers even mockingly referred to Han’s potential candidacy as a “grand failure theory,” suggesting that far from saving the conservative bloc, he could doom it.

If Han fails to join the PPP and must run as an independent, he faces additional challenges.

Running as an independent candidate would significantly complicate his campaign logistics.

Without official party backing, he would face restrictions on campaign financing, advertising and access to election subsidies. In addition, Han would be relegated to a lower ballot number, diminishing his visibility among voters. Uniting the conservative vote under such circumstances would become much harder, potentially leaving the opposition fragmented against Lee Jae-myung, the DPK’s presidential candidate.

In the coming days, Han must navigate not only his formal announcement but also delicate negotiations over candidacy unification. With the specter of “Yoon 2.0” looming over the race, conservatives are racing against time to manage both the perceptions and the mechanics of Han’s candidacy.