PPP candidate suspends campaign amid dispute over candidacy unification
SEOUL, May 6 (Yonhap) — The People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo said Tuesday he will suspend his election campaign for the time being, citing what he called a lack of party support for his candidacy amid talks for unifying the conservative candidacy with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
Kim made the remark shortly after the PPP’s interim leader, Kwon Young-se, urged him to keep his pledge to pursue a unified candidacy with Han, who is currently running as an independent.
“I have consistently expressed a clear intent to unify the candidacy, and that remains unchanged,” Kim told reporters during his visit to Gyeongju, 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul. “However, the party continues to refuse to support its own presidential candidate.”
Kim Moon-soo (C), the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, answers reporters’ questions during his visit to Gyeongju, about 370 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on May 6, 2025. (Yonhap)
Kim criticized the leadership for what he called a unilateral move to convene both the national committee and a party convention later this week, suggesting it may be an effort to replace him in favor of Han.
“I believe this is an attempt by the party leadership to unjustly and forcibly push me out,” Kim said, adding, “If this was going to happen, why did we hold three rounds of primaries?”
Kim was nominated as the PPP’s standard-bearer during a party convention Saturday to run in the June 3 election, which will replace former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over his martial law declaration.
Kim said he will suspend his campaign schedule and return to Seoul to come up with measures over the issues.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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