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Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), speaks during an emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on May 8. / Source: Yonhap News

The People Power Party (PPP) leadership announced on May 8 that it would proceed with its party-led candidate unification process, despite fierce opposition from its official presidential nominee, Kim Moon-soo. The leadership proposed a televised debate and a two-day public opinion poll, aiming to finalize unification with independent contender Han Duck-soo by May 10.

At an emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly, PPP interim leader Kwon Young-se said the party had formally proposed the debate and poll to both candidates. “Even if the debate does not materialize, we plan to carry out the public opinion poll as scheduled,” he said, adding, “I will take full responsibility for the outcome.”

Kwon stressed the urgency of the situation, saying, “If it means stopping Lee Jae-myung’s dictatorship, I will endure any criticism and bear any responsibility. We are in a desperate situation, and unification must happen no later than the 10th.”

He pointed to a recent internal poll showing that 82.8 percent of party members supported unification, asserting that “the demand for a unified candidate is overwhelming not only among party members but also among the general public. This is not just a political decision—it is a mandate of the times.”

Kwon said the party would begin its own unification process from today. “Even if they have to step over me, I urge the two candidates to complete the unification and lead the party to victory.”

Responding to Kim Moon-soo’s earlier press conference, where Kim rejected what he called a “forced candidate replacement” and threatened legal action, Kwon said, “Kim asked who brought Han Duck-soo into this race. I believe it was Kim himself. The PPP and its predecessors have suffered due to poor decisions by past presidential candidates. We must learn from those mistakes, and when a candidate is making the wrong decision, we must correct it.”

Earlier that morning, Kim had held an emergency press conference at his campaign office, invoking Article 74 of the party constitution to claim full authority over campaign affairs and demanding that the party leadership cease efforts to unify the candidacy with Han. He stated he would not participate in any debates or events scheduled without his consent, calling the current process “a forced candidate switch” and warning it could lead to a legal dispute.

PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong also directed sharp criticism at Kim, calling his stance “truly disappointing.” Kweon said, “Holding a press conference to cling to the presidential nomination while ignoring the will of party members makes us question whether this is really the same democracy activist and veteran politician we’ve respected.”

He emphasized that the call for unification is a solemn command from the party base and the public. “Refusing that call simply because you were nominated is not the right attitude,” he said.

Addressing Kim’s claim that party leadership was responsible for Han’s emergence as a rival candidate, Kweon replied, “It was the party members and the public who brought Han forward. If Kim’s approval ratings had been overwhelmingly high, would Han have entered the race?”

Kweon concluded with a personal appeal to Kim. “You were once a man of deep conviction who defended the freedom of this nation. Is it so wrong to ask you to honor your promise now? Please summon the same commitment, courage, and clarity to carry out the unification the party is asking for.”