Kim Moon-soo confirmed as People Power Party presidential candidate

After internal turmoil and a failed attempt to replace him, Kim Moon-soo officially registers as the PPP candidate for South Korea’s June 3 presidential election.

Kim Moon-soo delivers a speech after winning the final round of the party primary to become its presidential candidate, in Goyang, South Korea, on May 3, 2025. Photo by Woohae Cho/Getty Images

By Clarisa Sendy and Anna Fadiah

In a dramatic turn of events that underscores the political turbulence within South Korea’s ruling party, Kim Moon-soo has officially been confirmed and registered as the People Power Party’s (PPP) candidate for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for June 3. The confirmation of Kim Moon-soo as the People Power Party presidential candidate follows a failed bid by party leadership to replace him, marking a new chapter in South Korea's shifting political landscape.

Party unrest and a surprise reversal

The People Power Party has been in disarray following the ousting of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office after declaring martial law in December. As the party struggled to regroup and redefine its leadership, it held primaries to determine its new presidential candidate. Last week, 73-year-old Kim Moon-soo, a former labor minister known for his hardline conservative stance, emerged as the winner.

However, early on Saturday morning, the PPP abruptly announced that Kim’s nomination had been cancelled. In a highly controversial move, the party attempted to replace him with former prime minister Han Duck-soo. Han, who had initially stepped down from his post to contest the election as an independent, was expected to unite the conservative base. Yet this maneuver quickly collapsed when party members rejected the leadership’s decision in a crucial internal vote.

The vote not only thwarted the plan to install Han as the presidential contender but also automatically reinstated Kim Moon-soo as the official nominee of the People Power Party.

Kim formally registers presidential candidacy

By Sunday afternoon, Kim had completed the official registration of his candidacy with the National Election Commission, affirming his position as the ruling party’s standard-bearer.

“Today, I have completed the registration process for the presidential candidacy,” Kim said, speaking to reporters outside the National Election Commission’s headquarters. “I would like to express my gratitude to all the citizens who have shown concern and to my fellow party members.”

Describing the upcoming vote as a turning point for the country, Kim emphasized the high stakes of the election. “This presidential election is particularly crucial as it will determine who can overcome the current crisis facing our nation and work toward the happiness of our people,” he said. “I pledge to do my utmost to secure victory and lead South Korea toward becoming an even greater nation.”

A meeting with Han and an appeal for unity

Shortly after completing the registration process, Kim revealed that he planned to meet with Han Duck-soo at the PPP’s headquarters to discuss the path forward. Despite the dramatic reversal of roles, Kim extended an olive branch and praised Han for his "remarkable capabilities"—a clear signal that he intends to integrate Han's experience and political capital into his campaign.

Han, in turn, held his own press conference on Sunday to formally announce his withdrawal from the race. “I accept everything with humility and respect the outcome,” he said. “I sincerely wish candidate Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and his supporters success in this election. Now, I am stepping back from everything and returning to the life of an ordinary citizen.”

The brief but intense leadership struggle has left the PPP facing deep internal fractures just weeks before a high-stakes national vote. Party insiders and political analysts have warned that a divided conservative bloc could pave the way for an opposition victory.

With the candidate registration deadline closing later Sunday, the presidential race is now entering its final phase. The most formidable challenger to Kim is Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party, who is leading in most national polls despite facing multiple criminal trials.

A recent National Barometer Survey found Lee ahead of Kim by a wide margin—43 percent to 29 percent—highlighting the urgent need for the right-wing camp to consolidate support if it hopes to remain competitive.

Observers note that the failed effort to install Han as a unifying candidate may have only deepened the party’s image of disunity at a time when cohesion is vital. Some critics within the PPP have questioned the wisdom of the leadership’s decision to override the primary outcome, only to have their attempt overturned.

Kim's platform and the road ahead

Kim Moon-soo is expected to campaign on a conservative platform focused on restoring national security, reviving the economy, and addressing rising social unrest. His background as a labor minister and long-standing member of South Korea’s conservative movement has earned him a loyal following among older voters and traditionalist constituencies.

However, Kim must now convince moderate conservatives and undecided voters that he can unify the party and present a credible alternative to the increasingly popular Lee Jae-myung. His success will likely depend on his ability to maintain a clear message while mending intra-party divisions that have been laid bare in recent days.

The PPP leadership, meanwhile, faces mounting pressure to rally behind Kim and avoid further internal power struggles that could cost them the presidency. Whether the party can stabilize and present a united front in the final weeks of the campaign remains to be seen.

As South Korea approaches a pivotal election, Kim Moon-soo’s confirmation as the People Power Party presidential candidate comes at a critical moment. After surviving an internal coup attempt and securing his nomination through party vote, Kim now steps onto the national stage under intense scrutiny.

The outcome of this election could reshape the country’s political direction and define the future of its conservative movement. With the official candidate registration now complete, the focus turns fully to the campaign—and the battle for South Korea’s highest office begins in earnest.