Seoul: Presidential contenders from rival political parties ramped up their campaigns Wednesday as they vie for their parties' nomination ahead of the June 3 election. The election was triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster over his failed martial law bid. Leading the polls is Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party (DP), while the People Power Party (PPP) has yet to establish a clear front-runner.
According to Yonhap News Agency, eleven candidates of the PPP have launched their campaigns ahead of the party's short-listing of four candidates next week, presenting themselves as strong challengers to Lee. In the crowded race, PPP candidates have been seeking support from Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, viewed as a figure capable of appealing to swing voters, holding a series of back-to-back meetings. Oh has announced that he will not run in the upcoming election.
On Wednesday, former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, one of the leading contenders in the conservative bloc, met with Oh and pledged to adopt Oh's welfare policies for the socially underprivileged in his campaign platform. Oh also met with former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo on Tuesday, while PPP lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo are scheduled to meet him later in the day.
Meanwhile, former PPP Chairman Han Dong-hoon headed to the southeast city of Daegu, a conservative stronghold, to rally support in the region. With PPP candidates trailing Lee significantly in early polls, eyes are on whether acting President Han Duck-soo will enter the race in the coming weeks.
Though Han has not officially mentioned his potential bid, he is widely viewed as one of the strongest contenders within the conservative camp, thanks to his extensive experience in government and moderate image. On the DP side, the party has formally launched its primary, beginning with online voting among party members in Chungcheong Province. The party will pick a standard-bearer April 27.
Three candidates are in the running: Lee, Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon and Kim Kyung-soo, a former South Gyeongsang Province Gov. and a close confidante of former President Moon Jae-in. Lee, who narrowly lost to former President Yoon in the 2022 election, is widely expected to secure the nomination.
Earlier in the day, the three DP candidates held their first joint appearance since registering for the primary, pledging to engage in a clean and fair competition while refraining from negative campaigning.