As the People Power Party transitions into a full-fledged presidential election system following the decision to impeach former President Yoon Suk-yeol, conservative presidential candidates who have been watching from the sidelines are set to take significant steps toward their candidacy this week, including declarations of their intention to run. With the early presidential election schedule being tight, the pace of the candidates has also quickened.
Among the current members of the National Assembly, Representative Ahn Cheol-soo will be the first to start the presidential race.
Representative Ahn will hold a presidential campaign launch ceremony in front of the statue of General Lee Sun-shin at Gwanghwamun Square at 11 a.m. on the 7th. A representative from Ahn's side noted that Gwanghwamun Square was chosen to symbolize a desire for national unity and a change of era, aiming to rally once again in the square.
Ahn was the first among current members to publicly support the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol during the state of emergency. This marks Ahn's fourth attempt at the presidency, starting since the 18th presidential election in 2012. He presents ample political experience as a four-term lawmaker, emphasizing his moderate appeal and leadership capabilities to guide the AI era.
Among the incumbent local government heads, Gyeongbuk Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo is the first to officially announce his candidacy for president. According to his office, Governor Lee will hold a press conference announcing his candidacy at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 9th. On the same day, he plans to visit the birthplace of former President Park Chung-hee located in Gumi, Gyeongbuk Province. Governor Lee, who entered the 18th National Assembly, has served three consecutive terms in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, and successfully secured re-election as Gyeongbuk Province Governor in 2022.
Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who has hinted at a presidential challenge early on, will hold a ceremony to declare his candidacy at the Daehwa Building in Yeouido on the 14th at 2 p.m. The Daehwa Building is regarded as a prime location for election campaigns in the political arena. It was the base for former President Kim Dae-jung in 1997, for former President Park Geun-hye during the 2012 presidential election, and for former President Yoon Suk-yeol in 2021. Mayor Hong has been announcing policy pledges daily through Facebook. Recently, he presented campaign promises regarding revisions to the college entrance system, such as having the university entrance exam twice a year, and reforms to the constitutional court system.
There are candidates pondering the timing of their candidacies. Although the presidential election is provisionally set for June 3rd this week, there are indications within the party that they should await a clearer outline on the primary schedule before moving forward in earnest.
Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who is leading in various opinion polls as a preferred next leader of the conservative bloc, is considering entering the presidential race. After a policy review meeting held at the Seoul Employment and Labor Office that morning, Minister Kim remarked, "I am considering this, but nothing has been decided yet."
However, speculation has arisen that a decision regarding the presidential candidacy is imminent. On the same day, 111 former lawmakers supporting Minister Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly to urge his candidacy. They emphasized that a candidate who can transform the People Power Party into one that is more relatable to the public and can win against Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, mired in various corruption issues, must possess a commitment to the ideals of liberal democracy, extensive experience in governance, and integrity, all while sharing the sentiments of common people.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is also considering entering the presidential race early. Seoul City Spokesperson Shin Seon-jong said during a regular briefing that, "Although it is uncertain whether he will run according to the People Power Party's election management schedule, he is reviewing participation in the primaries.
Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon is also expected to establish a campaign camp at the Daehwa Building in Yeouido, where Mayor Hong is setting up his election office.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party launched the 'Election Management Committee for Presidential Candidate Selection', which is chaired by former Emergency Measures Committee Chairperson Hwang Woo-yeo, at an emergency management committee meeting held that morning. The committee plans to discuss specific primary methods, including the election schedule and the introduction of run-off voting.