Seoul: With less than 50 days remaining until the June 3 snap presidential election, the once-ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP) is witnessing significant activity among its members. The party is grappling with the aftermath of the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently undergoing a criminal trial for insurrection. Initial hopes for candidates emerging from within the party have waned as centrist and moderate figures, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Yoo Seong-min, have opted not to run.
According to Yonhap News Agency, acting President Han Duck-soo has emerged as a potential presidential candidate for the PPP. Han, known for his extensive experience as a technocrat with a focus on trade, has served as an ambassador to the United States and as a two-time prime minister. Despite his reluctance to explicitly declare his candidacy, a recent poll indicates a rise in support for him.
The PPP faces strong opposition from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), where Rep. Lee Jae-myung, a former presidential candidate, maintains a commanding lead in major polls. A recent survey showed Han with 8.6 percent support, the second-highest among PPP candidates, while Lee garnered 48.8 percent among the 1,506 respondents surveyed.
Speculation regarding Han's candidacy continues to swirl, although the PPP floor leader announced that Han will not run. This indirect refusal has not quelled calls for him to enter the race, highlighting the PPP's vulnerability due to the lack of a strong internal candidate.
A notable challenge for the PPP is that acting President Han is not officially affiliated with the party, raising concerns of overreliance on outside figures. Critics, including PPP Rep. Na Kyung-won and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, have voiced opposition to Han's potential candidacy, citing his role as a prime minister in an impeached administration. Although the Constitutional Court dismissed Han's impeachment case, his association with Yoon raises questions about his suitability as a candidate.
The PPP is also grappling with the legacy of former President Yoon. Among the four prospective candidates, opinions on Yoon's impeachment are divided, complicating efforts to unify the party. The PPP faces the challenge of discarding Yoon's legacy and regaining public trust ahead of the election.
Both the PPP and DPK are engaged in internal deliberations over candidate nominations. As the election approaches, political calculations are underway regarding nomination rules and potential candidates. The DPK currently holds an advantage over the PPP, which remains burdened by the legacy of an impeached president.
PPP members are urged to focus on forward-looking policies beyond the immediate nomination process. The public is wary of political turmoil and is seeking a party capable of bridging deep divides in the country.