Kim Moon-soo, Han Dong-hoon to compete in final round of PPP primary

The conservative People Power Party on Tuesday named former Chair Han Dong-hoon and ex-Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo as the two finalists who will compete in the final round of its primary to be the party's candidate in the June 3 presidential election.

Of the four contenders that competed throughout the second round, People Power Party Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo failed to make the cut. There were originally eight contenders at the start of the primary.

The results for the second round of the primary were determined by weighing in public surveys and votes of party members, unlike the first round, which only took public opinion polls into consideration. The rates of support from the surveys and the vote counts for the four candidates were not disclosed.

After the announcements were made, Han and Kim both pledged to put in their best efforts to “protect the country” if they’re elected as the People Power Party’s sole candidate and president.

“I will do my best to make South Korea great again by overcoming the crisis surrounding the country and the difficulties that our people face,” Kim said in his speech.

Han pointed out that Kim and he are both similar in the ways that they share the mindset to “protect the country” and highlighted the need to cooperate to compete against Democratic Party of Korea candidate and front-runner Rep. Lee Jae-myung.

“We are both very honest people and we both share the mindset to protect our country. Under the current difficult circumstances surrounding the presidential election, we must (cooperate) as (conservative) candidates against Lee Jae-myung,” Han said.

Han and Kim are set to face off in televised debate sessions scheduled for Wednesday. An electoral vote and public opinion polls will be conducted on Thursday and Friday. The party’s sole candidate will be confirmed at a party convention scheduled for Saturday.

The candidate who ultimately clinches the ruling party’s nomination will face off with Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung in the upcoming June 3 presidential election.

Hong, shortly after the party’s announcement, said he would "no longer engage in politics," and planned to retire after almost 30 years in public service. He added that he plans to return to being a “regular citizen” by leaving the “scene of conflict,” referring to politics.

In a message posted via Facebook later in the afternoon, he said that he also plans to leave the People Power Party, saying that “there are no more roles for him within the party and no reason to stay in politics anymore.”

According to a Realmeter survey released Monday, Lee led the poll of preferred presidential candidates with 48.5 percent. Kim came at No. 2 with 13.4 percent, followed by former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo with 10.2 percent and former party chair Han Dong-hoon with 9.7 percent.

Tuesday’s announcement came amid growing speculations that acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo may enter the presidential race as an independent conservative candidate. Observers say that the prime minister may attempt to partner up with the People Power Party’s presidential candidate after announcing his presidential bid.

The possibility of the prime minister entering the election race, could push either Han Dong-hoon or Kim to throw in the towel on their presidential run to back Han Duck-soo, observers added. The two primary finalists maintained a cautious attitude towards the scenario.

After the announcement, Kim told reporters that the issue of partnering up with the prime minister “should be discussed in stages,” mentioning that Han Duck-soo had not yet announced his candidacy. Han Dong-hoon stressed to reporters that the “People Power Party is the core of the conservative bloc” and the expected coalition with the prime minister and other conservative politicians should be “centered around” the ruling party.

Han has remained officially silent on his potential candidacy bid as of Tuesday afternoon. The deadline for public officials to resign from their current positions and declare their candidacy is May 4.