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Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), speaks during a meeting of the party's central election committee and an appointment ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on May 15. / Photo by Song Ui-joo

People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo launched a direct attack on Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung on May 15, calling the election “a sacred war to stop Lee’s violation of constitutional order.”

Speaking at a central campaign committee meeting at the National Assembly, Kim accused Lee of acting like an unprecedented dictator. “If we don’t hold someone like this accountable, then what’s the point of politics or democracy?” he said. “I will correct this act of subverting state governance with the resolve of a volunteer patriot.”

Kim criticized the recent passage of what he dubbed the “Lee Jae-myung exemption bill” — a proposed revision to the Public Official Election Act — by the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee. “Who else in world history has changed the law to avoid punishment? Only Lee Jae-myung,” Kim said.

He further pointed out that key figures involved in investigating or ruling against Lee had faced retaliation. “The prosecutor who investigated him was impeached. Now the Democratic Party wants to eliminate the prosecution altogether and turn it into a mere indictment office. The former head of the Board of Audit and Inspection who audited Lee was also impeached but returned. Even the chief justice who ruled on Lee’s case is being targeted for impeachment and is being dragged to a hearing.”

Kim also cited controversial laws pushed by the Democratic Party, such as the Yellow Envelope Law and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, as examples of misguided legislation. “These laws are making it harder for workers and driving businesses overseas. How can we expect a future for our economy under such leadership?” he asked.

Warning against the dangers of concentrated power, Kim said, “Power in the hands of one person inevitably leads to disaster. The most undemocratic system is that of North Korea, where everything is centralized and distant from the people. Who is siding with Kim Jong-un now?”

He added that his experiences visiting local regions had reinforced his belief in decentralization. “True democracy means devolving power down to where people live—through bold local autonomy and regulatory reform,” he said. “The first duty of a president is to distribute and devolve power.”

PPP co-chair Hwang Woo-yea also spoke in support of Kim, warning that the Democratic Party’s “unprecedented legislative moves” would ultimately alienate the public. “A recent poll shows a single-digit difference. Though Kim may seem to be trailing now, he will ride the tide of party support to stand tall on the ground of victory,” Hwang said.

Hwang praised Kim’s low-key start to his campaign, recalling how he visited Seoul’s Garak Market in the early morning on day one. “That market is the heart of the people’s economy, where production, distribution, and consumption meet. He’s holding the pulse of everyday life,” Hwang said.

Meanwhile, Park Dae-chul, head of general support at the PPP’s central campaign team, announced the launch of a new campaign fundraising initiative. “We will introduce the ‘Moon-soo President Fund’ on May 19 with a target of 25 billion won. All participants will receive repayment with appropriate interest by mid-August,” Park said.