S. Korea’s acting president faces candidacy deadline as his potential run roils conservative bloc

SEOUL – Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s potential candidacy in the upcoming presidential election has emerged as a key variable for the conservative bloc, with an announcement speculated to come as early as this week.

The time is approaching for Mr 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 work together to select the most competitive candidate against Lee Jae-myung, the front runner for the Democratic Party of Korea’s nomination.

In political circles, it is believed that Mr Han could step down as early as May 1, given that the Democratic Party was set to finalise its presidential candidate on April 27 and a Cabinet meeting is to be convened on April 29. The People Power Party plans to finalise its presidential candidate on May 3.

The Korea Herald learned from a source familiar with the matter that Mr 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 Mr Han will vie for the People Power Party’s nomination. If he does, he is likely to face a one-shot primary against the party’s final candidate, though this would require approval from the four current candidates, who were whittled down from eight contenders on April 22.

A second primary is being held on April 27 and 28, with 50 per cent party membership votes and 50 per cent public polling determining the nominated candidate. The outcome is to be announced on April 29. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two will compete again under the same 50:50 methodology on May 1 and 2, with the final nominee to be selected on May 3.

The People Power Party’s four contenders appear open to competing with Acting President Han if he enters the race.

On April 27, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, one of the People Power Party’s final four, said he would face Mr Han in a run-off if it would bolster the party’s chances against Mr Lee.

“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,” Mr Hong said in a statement.

Former Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo also emphasised the importance of uniting the anti-Lee forces, suggesting he would work towards a swift candidate consolidation if Mr Han enters the race.

Other People Power Party contenders, including former party leader Han Dong-hoon and Mr Ahn Cheol-soo, similarly signalled support for Mr Han’s potential bid.

Mr Ahn said on April 27 that should Mr Han 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”.

“I hope the strongest candidate to compete with Lee Jae-myung will be selected by the most objective and accurate process,” he added.

In a televised debate on April 26, Mr 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 Mr Han joining the race.

Although Mr Han has not yet officially declared his candidacy, signs point to a decision to come soon, with him stepping up public activities, drawing increased attention as a potential candidate.

On April 23, he visited the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, reaffirming the crucial 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 that Mr Han’s candidacy could have for the conservative bloc in the presidential race, as his competitiveness in the presidential election has been interpreted differently depending on polling methodology.

In an April 23-24 YTN survey of the most favoured candidates in the conservative bloc, the acting president ranked fourth at 9 per cent, behind three People Power Party candidates: Mr Han Dong-hoon with 14 per cent, Mr Hong with 11 per cent and Mr Kim with 10 per cent.

However, in a head-to-head poll against Mr Lee conducted by TV Chosun over the same period, Mr Han trailed Mr Lee by 15 percentage points – a narrower gap than those of the four People Power Party options.

The Democratic Party has been publicly critical of Mr Han’s potential run, while its individual presidential contenders have remained focused on their own campaigns.

In a statement on April 27, Democratic Party spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee warned that Mr Han’s presidential bid would amount to “national ruin”.

“Acting President Han should deeply apologise for the grave betrayal that has undermined the nation’s standing in less than three years,” Ms Park said. “He should quietly fulfil 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.” THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK