Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Seeks to Team Up With Conservative Candidate Ahead of Snap Election

The former PM will meet PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo to push for a unified run against liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung in the June 3 election.

South Korean former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo arrives to hold a press conference to announce a presidential bid at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on May 2, 2025. Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo

Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is set to hold a meeting with the ruling conservative People Power Party’s (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo in a bid to unify the vote and challenge the liberal frontrunner, Lee Jae-myung, in the upcoming snap election scheduled for June 3.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday local time at an undisclosed venue, reported the Yonhap News Agency.

The PPP plans to survey its members to assess support for a unified presidential candidate. The party will also convene a meeting of its lawmakers, where the unified candidacy is expected to be the main item on the agenda.

Han, a 75-year-old career technocrat, has held senior leadership roles under five presidents from both conservative and liberal administrations over the past three decades. On Tuesday, he addressed the need for unity during a public debate hosted by the Kwanhun Club, a group of senior journalists.

“I’ve never thought that unification would fail because that would be a great betrayal of the people,” Han said, highlighting the importance of running on a single ticket to avoid splitting the conservative vote.

This comes as Lee, the candidate for the main opposition Democratic Party, maintains a commanding lead in the polls.

A recent survey by the JoongAng Ilbo daily showed Lee with nearly 50 percent support, while PPP candidate Kim polled at 33 percent if he ran on a unity ticket, and Han himself garnered 36 percent in a hypothetical three-way race with Lee and Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party.

Han’s call for a unified ticket comes as the PPP selected former labor minister Kim as its candidate on May 3. However, Kim said he was disappointed with the party’s process for forming a joint candidacy, stating in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he was not included in the discussions.

President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted by the Constitutional Court last month over his brief imposition of martial law, prompting the snap presidential election. Han, who served as acting president following Yoon’s impeachment, stepped down from that role last week before announcing his presidential campaign.

Han highlighted his experience leading trade negotiations, particularly as South Korea and the United States held the first round of trade talks in Washington last month.

The talks are considered crucial as Seoul seeks to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs on key sectors such as the auto industry.

Han’s Reform Agenda and Vision

At a news briefing on May 2, where he announced his presidential bid, Han outlined his vision for the country, pledging to establish an organization dedicated to constitutional reform under the direct supervision of the president from the first day of his term.

He presented three main pledges: promoting constitutional reform, resolving trade issues, and fostering national integration with a focus on supporting the underprivileged.

“We will prepare a constitutional amendment bill in the first year of our inauguration and complete it in the second year,” Han said.

“The National Assembly and the people of our country will debate the details of the amendment, while I see my role as providing direction as well as checks and balances, which is how decentralization of power should work.”

Han warned that failing to achieve constitutional reform now would mean missing a unique opportunity.

“If we do not succeed in constitutional amendment this time, we will never have the same opportunity again,” he said. “No matter who comes to power, misfortunes will be repeated, which are not much different from the current ones.”

Calls for National Unity

During last week’s news briefing, where he announced his candidacy, Han criticized the current political tensions in South Korea.

“The political confrontations that follow the interests of individuals and camps, rather than the best future of the country and the people, have reached a dangerous level,” he said.

He also urged for national unity and support for marginalized communities.

Han pointed towards the divisions within Korean society, saying “The new government is not going to be the ‘Han Duck-soo government,’ but the government of everyone who wants to move forward, it is your government.”

Trade and Security Priorities

Highlighting his extensive public service career, Han pointed to his experience as trade minister, deputy prime minister, and ambassador to the United States.

“I think I’m the one who’s been dealing with trade issues between South Korea and the U.S. for the longest time, who can do the best job,” Han said, vowing to find a “win-win solution” in ongoing trade talks with Washington.

Han also addressed security concerns, promising to strengthen cooperation with the United States and Japan and expressing readiness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to address the nuclear threat and pursue denuclearization.

Response to Political Controversies

When questioned during last week’s news briefing about his role as prime minister during Yoon’s impeachment, Han reiterated that he had apologized to the National Assembly and emphasized the importance of respecting the Constitutional Court’s decisions.

Han was also impeached at the time, but it was subsequently overturned by the Constitutional Court and he was reinstated as acting leader.

“The Constitutional Court concluded that there was no problem,” he stated, adding that his focus now is on solving the nation’s pressing economic and trade issues.

Han also criticized the Democratic Party’s attempt to impeach former deputy prime minister Choi Sang-mok, calling it “really disappointing.”

Reuters and Charlie Maeng contributed to this report.

From NTD News