0
Lee Nak-yon, senior advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, holds an emergency press conference at the party’s headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 27 to outline plans for an electoral alliance with the People Power Party. / Yonhap News

With just a week left before the June 3 presidential election, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party has ramped up efforts to consolidate anti-Lee Jae-myung forces. On May 27, Lee Nak-yon, senior advisor of the New Future Democratic Party and a former Democratic Party leader, declared his support for Kim, stating his intent to “block the rise of Lee Jae-myung’s monstrous dictatorship.” The endorsement follows that of Sohn Hak-kyu, another former Democratic Party leader, signaling symbolic and strategic significance for the conservative campaign.

The two candidates agreed to form a joint government for national unity and to push for constitutional reform aimed at launching a “Seventh Republic.” “Kim is the most suitable candidate to prevent the birth of a monstrous dictatorship, and that’s why I am giving him my vote,” said Lee.

Lee went further, denouncing the Democratic Party and Lee Jae-myung. “I had long hoped the party would nominate a candidate free from criminal charges, and I expressed my willingness to cooperate under those circumstances,” he said. “But the party refused such common sense. Even sitting lawmakers and party elders remain silent, following the path of dictatorship. This is the bizarre and hopeless reality of the Democratic Party.”

Kim’s campaign has worked behind the scenes to secure the alliance. Earlier, interim party chief Kim Yong-tae met with New Future Democratic Party leader Jun Byung-hun to build ties, leading to a private meeting between Kim Moon-soo and Lee Nak-yon to finalize the electoral cooperation. Kim Yong-tae framed the move as a “genuine alliance of conscience-driven democratic forces who oppose martial law and dictatorship and support constitutional reform for the Seventh Republic.”

Riding on endorsements from prominent anti-Lee figures, Kim now aims to accelerate the unification of conservative and centrist voters. Former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who had previously taken a backseat, joined Kim on the campaign trail and declared, “Let’s stop Lee Jae-myung’s world,” in what is being seen as a symbolic moment for conservative solidarity. Despite past rifts over the impeachment and expulsion of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, the party is now rallying together in hopes of an electoral breakthrough.

Kim has also garnered support from former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak. After meeting Park in Daegu on May 24, Kim joined Lee Myung-bak for lunch in Seoul on May 27. “If Lee Jae-myung becomes president, he will rule the nation. If Kim Moon-soo wins, he will manage the country,” Lee Myung-bak remarked.

Meanwhile, Park visited her father Park Chung-hee’s birthplace in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, and said, “Seeing Kim visit this place a few days ago made me want to come here as well.”

Kim is set to revisit key conservative strongholds in Daegu, North Gyeongsang, Busan, and South Gyeongsang on May 28 as he seeks to galvanize last-minute support.