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Han Dong-hoon, a presidential primary candidate of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), arrives at Incheon City Hall on April 27 to meet with Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok. / Source: Yonhap News

Han Dong-hoon, a presidential primary candidate of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), urged fellow party contenders on April 27 not to exhaust their energy in the internal race, but to save their strength for the battle against Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential primary candidate.

"Please don’t waste the energy we should be using against Lee in the internal primary. I’m on your side, so I only used 10 percent of my strength," Han said during a visit to the PPP's Incheon chapter to appeal for support.

He continued, "Against Lee, I will unleash 200 percent of my strength. I will pour every bit of reserved energy into defeating him. I will end old politics, drive political reform, and lead a generational change."

Referring to the ongoing primary debates, Han asked, "Have you seen the four-way debate? Although all candidates are excellent, please ask yourselves honestly whether they could really handle debating Lee Jae-myung." He added, "If you want to see someone destroy Lee in a debate, give me majority support so that I can conserve strength to take him down."

Han emphasized, "Can anyone else defeat the most dangerous person in Korea, Lee Jae-myung, on the battlefield? I am your weapon. I crushed the Democratic Party, defended the constitutional amendment barrier at all costs, and fought to stop wrongdoings by the president and first lady."

Han also stressed the need for a compelling story to win the election, saying, "To defeat Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party, we need drama. I have repeatedly been pushed out and resurrected while pursuing political reform and following public sentiment. If I overcome adversity and win the primary overwhelmingly, it will become a drama that embodies the public’s yearning for reform."

Concluding his speech, Han said, "With the inspiration from that drama, we can defeat Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party. I have no dreams of my own — only the dreams of the people. Allow me to fight and win with the resolve to stand and die for the people’s dreams."