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Kim Moon-soo, a presidential primary candidate from the ruling People Power Party, announces his pledge to make South Korea one of the world’s top five export powers during a policy press conference at his campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 28. / Source: Yonhap News

Presidential contenders from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) launched a final push to win voter support on April 28, just one day ahead of the announcement of the primary results. The political spotlight has intensified further as Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's presidential ambitions became clearer.

According to political sources, the three frontrunners—Kim Moon-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo (listed alphabetically)—focused on last-minute efforts to rally support. Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo also made a late surge, rallying under the slogan, "No to Lee Jae-myung."

Kim Moon-soo unveiled a pledge to make South Korea one of the world’s top five export powers. He promised to immediately seek a South Korea-U.S. summit if elected, aiming to counter President Donald Trump's tariff pressures. "In response to Trump’s tariff pressure, I will push for a summit and promote a comprehensive investment agreement covering shipbuilding, semiconductors, defense, LNG, and nuclear power," Kim said. He also pledged to hold export promotion meetings chaired by the president on a regular basis. Other pledges include preemptive responses to global supply chain disruptions, tariff and currency instability, expanded support for small and medium-sized exporters and startups, nurturing young export specialists, boosting digital and service trade, and training 100,000 export professionals.

Hong Joon-pyo visited the Korea Federation of SMEs on the same day to announce economic pledges tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Following his engagement with young voters in the Hongdae area the previous day, Hong sought to broaden his appeal to centrist voters by addressing the challenges faced by SMEs. "The economy will only recover when SMEs and small businesses thrive," he said, pledging to exempt inheritance taxes on business succession for SMEs, apply differentiated minimum wage policies, implement flexible work-hour regulations under the 52-hour workweek system, and shift to performance-based pay systems.

Han Dong-hoon outlined his national defense vision and energy policy at the Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan, South Chungcheong Province. He pledged to secure nuclear-powered submarines and establish a Korean-style "four-pillar" deterrence system to achieve an independent nuclear deterrent. He also promised support for defense exports and improved treatment for military officers. In the field of climate and energy policy, Han proposed creating a realistic energy mix, formulating a comprehensive national energy plan, and strengthening a plastic circular economy.

Meanwhile, Ahn Cheol-soo focused his campaign on the strategically important Daejeon region, unveiling his pledges for the Chungcheong provinces. He outlined a vision to transform Daejeon, Sejong, and the broader Chungcheong region into hubs for artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, biotechnology, and aerospace. He also proposed holding a national referendum and constitutional revision to complete Sejong City as the administrative capital. Earlier in the day, Ahn visited a national cemetery to pay tribute at the graves of heroes who died defending the West Sea and a Marine who perished during a search and rescue operation for flood victims.

The results of the second primary round will be announced at 2 p.m. on April 29. If a candidate secures a majority, they will be confirmed as the PPP's presidential nominee. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff election between the top two contenders will take place on June 3. At present, it appears unlikely that any candidate will achieve an outright majority in the second round.