In the conservative camp, the scenario of 'independent candidacy' has rapidly emerged following the 'Han Deok-soo recall theory.' Observations are that the unification model of Roh Moo-hyun and Chung Mong-joon, which came together in 2002 with the 'anti-Lee Hoi-chang alliance,' could be reproduced in the 21st presidential election. However, considering the backlash from party contenders and the short timeline of the election race, there are analyses suggesting that the practical possibility is low.
Within the People Power Party, as the possibility of acting leader Han participating in the party's primary election decreases, the theory of 'Han Deok-soo's independent candidacy' has emerged. The registration for candidates in the People Power Party's primary is until the 15th, and currently, Han has indirectly expressed his intention not to participate in the primary.
In response, there are ideas circulating in the political arena to have Han later emerge as the people’s candidate embodying moderate conservatism and seek maximum convention effects through unification with the candidate of the People Power Party, which is to be decided on the 3rd of next month.
This is modeled after the Democratic Party's primary election during the 16th presidential election in 2002. At that time, Roh Moo-hyun, the candidate for the Millennium Democratic Party, defeated Lee Hoi-chang of the Grand National Party through unification with independent candidate Chung Mong-joon. The scenario is that Han, as a pillar of the 'anti-Lee Jae-myung alliance,' will seek synergy by participating in unification with former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who declared non-participation in the People Power Party's primary, and Lee Jun-seok, the candidate of the Reform Party.
The party leadership also leaves the possibility of Han's 'independent candidacy' open. Chief Spokesperson Shin Dong-wook stated after an emergency meeting with reporters on the 14th that regarding the query, 'What is the leadership's stance on the story that Han might run independently and then unify?' he said, 'If we see Han as one of the candidates, it is not appropriate for the leadership to mention a specific candidate,' while adding, 'The political choice will be made by himself.'
A member of the floor leadership said, 'In a situation where an election must be held within 60 days, the party needs to create a big tent that encompasses everyone who won't vote for Lee Jae-myung, and from an election perspective, (the Han Deok-soo recall theory) is not a bad phenomenon,' adding, '(The primary) should be as successful as possible, and if Han runs independently, we need to ensure a synergy effect.'
According to the political sphere, it is reported that within the party, veteran lawmakers from the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK) regions, centered around four-term lawmaker Park Deok-heum and three-term lawmaker Seong Il-jong, are lending strength to the 'Han Deok-soo recall theory.' There are even talks about preparing for Han's presidential campaign launch in Jeonju, South Gyeongsang Province. A veteran lawmaker from the TK region said, 'We cannot coerce the Prime Minister to run,' adding, '(The Prime Minister) will quietly observe for now. He will ponder.'
The growing talk of Han Deok-soo's prospects within the party is based on the perception that he is a strong 'opponent to Lee Jae-myung.' A lawmaker from the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK) region stated, 'Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has experienced it, and former representative Han Dong-hoon has also been through it, but (if we leave it as is), Lee Jae-myung will win comfortably. We must somehow prevent that,' adding, '(Han) will be more moderate than Minister Kim Moon-soo and will be recognized by party members more than former representative Han.'
Key presidential candidates in the People Power Party are directly opposing the 'Han Deok-soo recall theory.' They argue that if the party candidate elected through member voting and public opinion polls fails to reach the final election through unification with the acting leader, it could undermine the democracy of the party members.
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo noted, 'A big tent for the anti-Lee Jae-myung front could be created,' but regarding Han's possible participation in the big tent, he pointed out that 'the candidacy of Acting President Han Deok-soo, who also serves as Prime Minister, goes against common sense.' Former People Power Party representative Han Dong-hoon also stated in an interview with SBS Radio that 'This is a very important time for the People Power Party, and deflating the primary is an act of aggression,' while adding, 'It's a defeatist attitude. It desires the preservation of vested interests.'
As key presidential candidates, such as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, declare their non-participation in the presidential election, the issue of 'the disuse of the primary' is being raised within the party. As the selection of candidates for the 21st presidential election approaches in 50 days, there are also concerns about its feasibility. A People Power Party official stated, 'If it were a regular presidential election, it might be different, but due to the nature of a snap election, the timeline is tight, so (unification after candidate selection) does not seem easy.'