Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo's Second Unification Meeting Ends with a Confirmation of Differences in Position
Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and Han Duck-soo, an independent presidential candidate, held a 'second unification discussion' on the afternoon of the 8th at a coffee shop in the National Assembly in Yeouido. However, the meeting ended without finding any common ground.
The two candidates met for a one-on-one debate format lasting 1 hour and 3 minutes, agreeing on the necessity of unification but expressing strong differences regarding the timing and method.
Candidate Han stated, "Unification is the mandate of the people," and pointed out that "Candidate Kim has promised unification 22 times over 18 days from April 19 to May 6."
On the other hand, Candidate Kim responded, "I am always thinking about unification, and I am not saying I won’t do it," while questioning why Candidate Han had not gone through the People Power Party's primary process.
Candidate Han urged, "Kim's suggestion to postpone unification for one week feels like a reluctance to do it. Let’s settle this immediately."
Conflict Surrounding the Deadline for Unification and Party Procedures
Candidate Kim rebutted, "I went through the primary process, and all candidates paid 100 million won and went through many steps to get here. It is problematic for Han to suddenly appear and demand accountability for the 22 unfulfilled promises from someone who followed all the procedures."
He further criticized, "It's the first time in world party history that someone who is not a party member, after the primary is over, has appeared to demand something from a candidate elected without any agreement regarding the second party. There are rules for parties too."
Candidate Han countered, "It's not about forcing or presenting a bill," and stated, "Once unification happens, I will immediately join the People Power Party."
However, Han maintained that if unification does not occur, he will take responsibility by not registering for the presidential election. Candidate Kim expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "Saying you won’t register for campaigning is not unification; it simply means 'give up your position.'"
The two candidates continued to clarify their differences regarding these matters.
Ultimately, the meeting ended without a substantive discussion on unification plans or timelines.
There are growing concerns that Han's deadline for unification by the 11th may be difficult to meet.
Meanwhile, Shin Dong-wook, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a written briefing that "all members of the party will be waiting within the grounds until an agreement on unification is reached before candidate registration."
This meeting was the second following an unproductive dinner meeting on the 7th and ended with only a confirmation of each side's positions, suggesting continued difficulties in the unification negotiations.
As public interest in opposition unification rises ahead of the presidential election, attention is focused on whether the two candidates can find a common ground.
Image source: Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and Han Duck-soo, the independent presidential candidate, shake hands after their 'candidate unification' meeting on the afternoon of the 8th at the National Assembly's riverside library in Yeouido, Seoul. (Joint Coverage) 2025.5.8/News1, News1, News1 (Joint Coverage)
