PPP picks Kim Moon-soo as presidential candidate, party eyes conservative unity

People Power Party presidential contender Kim Moon-soo reacts during the party's national convention in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday, after being announced as the PPP's candidate for the June 3 election. Yonhap

Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo was chosen as the People Power Party’s (PPP) presidential candidate Saturday during the party’s national convention in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

Kim won 56.53 percent of the vote in the final round, defeating former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who garnered 43.47 percent. The result was determined by combining party members' votes, where Kim gained 61.25 percent, and a nationwide public opinon survey, where Kim won 51.81 percent, with each accounting for 50 percent of the total.

His selection is increasing the possibility of the PPP seeking a single candidacy with independent candidate and former Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. While conservatives seek to unite and field a single candidate ahead of the June 3 election, Kim has been positive on uniting with the former prime minister.

"To stop the Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) Lee Jae-myung from coming to power, I will build a strong alliance with any force necessary," Kim said in his acceptance speech. "The process will be carried out in a way that both the public and our party members can understand and accept."

He warned that failure to block the DPK's return to power would result in "a collapse of liberal democracy and a bleak futre for Korea," directly attacking Lee for "polluting the National Assembly with lies and crime."

Kim, a former labor minister and Gyeonggi Province governor, campaigned on pledges of conservative unity. He was also firm in his opposition to the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law imposition, leading the party’s “anti-impeachment” faction, compared to Han Dong-hoon who has led its "pro-impeachment" group.

This stance of Kim opposing Yoon's impeachment has solidified his image as a far-right figure, leaving him the uphill task of appealing to centrist voters many of whom supported the impeachment.

One way of diluting his ultraconservative image will be fielding a single candidacy with another conservative contender who can appeal to centrist voters. For this, Kim, along with other party leaders, will make a decision on whether to unite with Han Duck-soo to build a broader conservative front against Lee of the DPK.

Kim Moon-soo, right, of the People Power Party, reacts during the party's national convention in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday, after being announced as the party's final presidential candidate for the June 3 election. Han Dong-hoon, the other contender who was beaten by Kim, congratulates him. Yonhap

Throughout the primary, Kim cited the single candidacy agreement between former President Roh Moo-hyun and the other candidate Chung Mong-joon in 2002, blending polling results with strategic negotiations.

His acceptance speech suggested his willingness to negotiate a potential merger with Han Duck-soo, though the exact process remains uncertain.

The coming week will involve intensive discussions. Candidate registration is on May 10 and 11, giving Kim and Han limited time to determine whether a single candidacy is feasible. Party officials say the PPP’s national committee could be convened to approve rule changes needed for a unified bid, if required. In practice, this means amending internal regulations to allow for a joint nomination or the withdrawal of the PPP candidate in favor of a unity ticket — steps that would require swift and unanimous support from senior leadership.

Meanwhile, DPK front-runner Lee continues to maintain a strong lead in public opinion polls. Recent surveys show Lee leading by double digits, though a conservative unification could narrow the gap. PPP lawmakers have argued that multiple conservative candidates will only allow Lee to win.

Following the announcment, Han Dong-hoon urged party unity. "I humbly accept today's decision made by our members and the public," he said. "Though my journey ends here, I hope that our Kim Moon-soo can prevent this country from becoming a dangerous place. I will support from behind the scenes."