Seoul: Acting President Han Duck-soo will not participate in the People Power Party's (PPP) presidential primary for the upcoming June 3 election, as confirmed by the party's floor leader, Kweon Seong-dong, on Tuesday. This announcement comes amidst widespread speculation regarding Han's potential candidacy for the presidency.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kweon Seong-dong clarified Han's position as the PPP prepared to close candidate registration for the primary later that day. He emphasized that speculating about Han's candidacy does not aid in garnering public interest for the primary and detracts from Han's responsibilities as acting president.
Han, who has been featured in recent polls as a favored presidential candidate, stated on Monday that he intends to address the U.S. tariff crisis, describing it as his "final calling." This statement has been widely interpreted as a rejection of any presidential aspirations.
Kweon further asserted that the primary should prioritize selecting a formidable candidate capable of defeating Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the liberal Democratic Party and a prominent presidential contender. He accused Lee of hindering government operations and called for party unity to overcome the political challenges posed by Lee's leadership.
"We have to overcome the forces led by Lee Jae-myung, who would drive the country into endless political strife and division," Kweon said, urging the party to rally towards a unified objective.