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Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the ruling People Power Party, delivers a public appeal at the party’s headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 30. / Source: Yonhap News

Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the ruling People Power Party, launched a strong attack on Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung on May 30, declaring, "I have dedicated my life to building a fair and just Republic of Korea. A person who deceives the public with lies and empty words can never revive the economy."

In a public appeal delivered at PPP headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Kim warned, "If we fail to stop him now, our economy will be devastated beyond repair for not just five, but even 20 years. Instead of apologizing for his son’s antisocial behavior, Lee is deflecting blame and attacking others."

Highlighting his achievements as former Gyeonggi governor, Kim pledged to implement key economic policies, including a 30 trillion won supplementary budget for livelihoods, nationwide expansion of the GTX rail network, comprehensive AI infrastructure, the establishment of a Regulatory Innovation Agency, expanded exports of K-nuclear power, defense, and shipbuilding industries, revitalization of urban housing supply, and the creation of a specialized bank for small businesses. "I will faithfully deliver on these promises and transparently report progress to the public," he said.

Kim stressed, "An unqualified and shameless candidate who constantly changes his story must be decisively rejected in this election. Instead of genuine reflection on his misconduct, Lee brushes it off as ‘irrelevant personal matters.’ How could such a person possibly have the sincerity to improve the lives of our citizens?"

He continued, "It is shameful that such a person even became a presidential candidate — a chapter of history we’d rather erase. Over the past three years, we’ve witnessed Lee’s cruelty, as he plunged the National Assembly and the nation into turmoil to evade accountability."

Kim accused Lee of undermining democracy: "We’ve seen numerous crimes, manipulation of the judicial process, crony candidate nominations, privatization of the legislature, and intimidation of the judiciary. If someone so crude and ruthless were to become president, it’s terrifying to imagine how they would wield power as a shield and a weapon."

He further warned, "If such illegality and lawlessness prevail, and personal ambition takes precedence, the economy will spiral into darkness. Under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ (KCTU) clientelist economic model, honest young people will lose job opportunities, and housing prices will soar again as they did under the Moon Jae-in administration."

Kim pointed to growing anxiety in the housing market. "Rumors are already circulating that people should buy homes before a Democratic president takes office. Young people who were already pushed into reckless home-buying under Moon’s failed policies may soon be forced to sacrifice even more."

He added, "If this group gains power, they will flood the system with regulations that stifle businesses. How can companies invest or create jobs in such an environment? If they also take control of the executive branch, Korea could become like the corrupt and violent world depicted in the movie Asura."

Kim criticized Lee’s platform: "Lee is acting as a proxy for radical unions and environmental extremists, threatening to dismantle the industrial and nuclear energy ecosystems. Leftist civic groups will once again feed off taxpayers' money while devoting their energy to political agitation."

He warned, "Today in Korea, illegality and lawlessness are becoming normalized. Privileged unions and civic groups are obsessed with creating a country where only they thrive, using Lee as their frontman. We must defeat this threat at the ballot box."

Kim also acknowledged past shortcomings within his own party. "The People Power Party has had many faults. I sincerely apologize to the public for our failures and pledge to reflect deeply and reform. We will embrace self-sacrifice, make difficult decisions, and drive bold policy innovation."

He concluded, "We will work tirelessly and transform ourselves until the public says, ‘That’s enough.’ I earnestly ask the people: Please give Kim Moon-soo — who will serve the nation selflessly and wholeheartedly — a chance to work for the future of Korea."