Gyeongju: The People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo announced Tuesday that he will temporarily suspend his election campaign. This decision arises from what Kim describes as insufficient party support for his candidacy amidst ongoing discussions to unify the conservative candidacy with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's announcement came shortly after the interim leader of the PPP, Kwon Young-se, urged him to honor his commitment to pursue a unified candidacy with Han, who is currently running as an independent. Kim reiterated his commitment to unifying the candidacy but expressed discontent with the party's lack of support for its own candidate.
Kim criticized the party leadership for what he perceives as a unilateral decision to convene both the national committee and a party convention later in the week. He suggested this move might be an attempt to replace him with Han. "I believe this is an attempt by the party leadership to unjustly and forcibly push me out," Kim stated, questioning the necessity of holding three rounds of primaries if this was the intended outcome.
Nominated as the PPP's standard-bearer during a party convention held Saturday, Kim was set to run in the June 3 election, which will elect a successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, ousted over his martial law declaration. Kim declared that he will suspend his campaign activities and return to Seoul to strategize on addressing these issues.