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Presidential hopefuls of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) pose for a commemorative photo during the media day event for the party's first primary debate, held at its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 17. Front row, from left: Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo, and Rep. Na Kyung-won. (Back row, from left) Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, former lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and former party leader Han Dong-hoon. / Source: Song Eui-joo, The Hankyoreh

Presidential contenders of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) delivered strong messages against Lee Jae-myung, the leading candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, during a media day event held ahead of the party's first primary debate on April 17. All candidates declared their determination to stop Lee in the upcoming presidential race.

The PPP hosted its first primary media day at its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, where the candidates drew lots to determine their debate groupings. They were divided into two groups—Group A and Group B—and each briefly shared their vision.

According to the draw, Group A includes Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Yang Hyang-ja, and Yoo Jeong-bok. Group B features Na Kyung-won, Lee Cheol-woo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo.

Candidates were given priority in choosing their group based on arrival time. Ahn Cheol-soo arrived first, followed by Kim Moon-soo, Yoo Jeong-bok, Lee Cheol-woo, Na Kyung-won, Yang Hyang-ja, Han Dong-hoon, and finally Hong Joon-pyo.

The event quickly turned into a unified front against Lee Jae-myung.

Kim Moon-soo declared, “I am running to defeat Lee Jae-myung. A man who tried to institutionalize his own brother in a psychiatric hospital cannot be allowed to lead this nation. If he becomes president, he might lock up the entire population.” He pledged to fight back against what he described as "dictatorship" with the power of the people.

Hong Joon-pyo framed the race as a binary choice. “This presidential election is a showdown between a Hong Joon-pyo government and a Lee Jae-myung government,” he said. “We will ask the people to choose between the two.”

Na Kyung-won underscored national security, stating, “Ideology is livelihood. Rule of law is freedom. Freedom drives our economy and security. I will prove that the sacrifices made by those who shed tears on the streets were not in vain.”

Ahn Cheol-soo emphasized his clean image, saying, “Clean-handed Ahn Cheol-soo will bring down the criminal suspect Lee Jae-myung. I will win over centrist voters and stop Lee’s totalitarian, handout-driven rule. National unity and generational change must come.”

Han Dong-hoon said, “When Lee Jae-myung was hiding in the woods, I was the only candidate in PPP who stood against the abuse of emergency powers. I can win. We all share the same patriotism to stop a monstrous regime and build a better nation.”

Yang Hyang-ja pledged to dedicate herself to redefining conservative values. “The PPP is the party that made Korea an economic and human capital powerhouse. I believe the success of the conservative party is the success of the nation.”

Lee Cheol-woo drew on the legacy of a former president, saying, “Remember the new Park Chung-hee—Lee Cheol-woo. This nation is too divided. I will revive national security and the economy, and heal our social rifts with the spirit of Park Chung-hee.”

Yoo Jeong-bok highlighted his bipartisan confirmation record. “I passed two ministerial confirmation hearings with unanimous consent. I stand in stark contrast to Lee Jae-myung, who is plagued with crime, corruption, and lies. I am the candidate who can defeat him.”