Gumi: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo urged People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo on Thursday to "keep his promise" to unify their candidacies ahead of the June 3 presidential election. Han, who is running as an independent in the race, spoke to reporters shortly after Kim held a press conference to denounce the PPP leadership for its pressure to merge campaigns.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han emphasized that failing to unify is a discourtesy to those concerned about the nation's future, economy, and people's livelihoods. During a campaign stop at former President Park Chung-hee's birthplace in Gumi, 200 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Han stated, "If he has any consideration for the nation and the people, I would tell candidate Kim Moon-soo to keep his promise to immediately begin merger discussions (with me) if he becomes the candidate of the PPP."
Han and Kim previously held a private meeting to discuss merging their campaigns but did not reach an agreement. Han mentioned plans to meet Kim again at 4 p.m. Thursday, as requested by Kim, after cutting short his trip to the southeastern region.
Additionally, Han criticized Kim for suggesting he had no intention of formally registering as a presidential candidate by the May 11 deadline. Han remarked, "Saying he has no idea why Han Duck-soo stepped forward as a presidential candidate really shows a lack of basic manners."