Han faces candidacy deadline as his potential run roils conservative bloc
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's potential candidacy in the upcoming presidential election has emerged as a key variable in the conservative bloc's race, with an announcement speculated to come as early as this week.
Time is approaching for Han to make a decision. Under election law, he must resign from his current position by May 4 — 30 days before the early election on June 3 — to run for president.
Presidential hopefuls from the People Power Party have expressed their willingness to unify their bids and join forces to select the most competitive candidate against Lee Jae-myung, the frontrunner of the Democratic Party.
In political circles, it is believed that Han could step down as early as Wednesday, given that the Democratic Party of Korea was set to finalize its presidential candidate on Sunday and the Cabinet meeting will convene Tuesday. The People Power Party finalizes its presidential candidate on May 3.
The Korea Herald learned from a source familiar with the matter that Han told former US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell that he was "seriously considering" a presidential bid during their one-on-one meeting on April 23 in Seoul.
The most critical question is whether Han will join the People Power Party. If he does, he will most likely contest a one-shot primary against the party's final candidate, though this would require approval from the four current candidates, who were selected from the first cut-off of eight contenders on April 22.
The second primary will be held from Sunday to Monday, with 50 percent party membership votes and 50 percent public polling determining the nominated candidate. The outcome will be announced on April 29. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two will compete again under the same 50:50 methodology from Thursday to Friday, and the final nominee will be selected Saturday.
The People Power Party's four contenders appear open to competing with acting president Han if he enters the race.
On Sunday, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, one of the four People Power Party contenders, said he would face Han in a new runoff if it improves the party's chances against Lee Jae-myung.
'If Han Duck-soo runs, I will debate him twice and hold another public primary. If that's the way to defeat Lee Jae-myung, I will gladly do so," Hong said in a statement.
Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo also emphasized the importance of uniting anti-Lee forces, suggesting he would work toward a swift candidate consolidation if Han enters the race.
Other People Power Party contenders, including former party leader Han Dong-hoon and Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, also signaled support to Han's potential bid.
Ahn said Sunday that, should Han Duck-soo run in the presidential election, "a primary has to be held with our party's ultimate candidate in order to finally choose a single (unified) nominee."
Ahn added, "I hope the strongest candidate to compete with Lee Jae-myung (of the Democratic Pary) will be selected by the most objective and accurate process."
During a televised debate Saturday, Han Dong-hoon said, 'I believe many voters are suggesting a variety of ideas to win the election," when asked whether he felt uncomfortable about Han Duck-soo joining the race.
Although Han has not yet officially declared his candidacy, signs point to a decision soon, with him stepping up his public activities, drawing increased attention as a potential candidate. On Wednesday, he visited the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, reaffirming the alliance and commending US forces who helped combat recent wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province — a move widely seen as boosting his national security credentials.
Observers are divided over the ramifications Han Duck-soo's candidacy could have for the conservative bloc's presidential race, as his competitiveness in the presidential election has been interpreted differently depending on the polling methodology.
The Democratic Party has publicly criticized Han's potential run, while its individual presidential contenders have remained focused on their own campaigns.
In a statement Sunday, Democratic Party spokesperson Park Kyung-mee warned that Han's presidential bid would be a "national ruin.'
"Acting President Han should deeply apologize for the grave betrayal that has undermined the nation's standing in less than three years," Park said. "He should quietly fulfill his duties until the end of his acting presidency and await trial, rather than defying the natural order. If he chooses to run, he will immediately face the harsh judgment of the public."
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