Seoul: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday emphasized the importance of unifying the conservative presidential candidacy before the upcoming June 3 election, as efforts intensify to collaborate with People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han, an independent preliminary candidate, highlighted this need during a debate with journalists. He addressed questions about potential negotiations to form a unified candidacy with Kim. Han remarked, "I have never imagined that unifying candidacies would fail," while refraining from providing further details. He warned that failure to unify would represent a significant betrayal of the electorate.
Han has approached Kim's team to discuss merging their candidacies in a strategic effort to more effectively challenge Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, who is currently leading in recent opinion polls. At 75, Han has emerged as a formidable contender within the conservative faction for the upcoming election, which aims to find a successor for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, ousted due to his declaration of martial law. Han previously served as acting president before resigning last Thursday to announce his candidacy.
For Han and Kim to register as a unified candidate, they must reach an agreement by May 11, the deadline set by the National Election Commission for official candidate registration.