The independent Han Duck-soo's presidential election preliminary candidate's camp stated on the 8th that they strongly confirm the suggestion made by People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo, which proposed to unify after a week of campaigning through a public opinion poll, saying, "We confirm the proposal to unify before the 11th."
Spokesperson Lee Jeong-hyun from Han Duck-soo's camp noted during a press briefing that Kim's camp's suggestion was simply putting it in a way that suggests not to unify. "86.7% of party members publicly expressed the opinion that we should unify before the 11th, but isn't it really absurd to suggest doing it next week?" he said.
During an emergency press conference on the morning of the same day, Kim proposed that the People Power Party express their intention not to participate in the TV debate and suggested that after campaigning until the 14th, they decide on a unified candidate through a public opinion poll on the 15th to 16th.
He told Kim's camp, "Kim is expressing his opinion while the other candidate is expressing theirs," adding, "I clearly stated about the 11th and hope to see them at the unification table before the 11th." He also added, "I will make every effort for unification before the 11th."
He also asked, "Is the presidential election being postponed from June 3rd to July 3rd? We must do our best according to the election schedule," and added, "Is it that they are not ready for the debate? Do they lack confidence in winning the public opinion poll? What on earth is the reason for delaying something that could be done next week?" He also remarked, "It's not two or three months until the election, and not even one month, so is it reasonable to postpone it?"
The spokesperson stated, "It was Kim's first promise to unify several times, and if he cannot keep the most fundamental and winning promise, what meaning do other presidential campaign promises hold?"
The spokesperson commented on Kim's claim regarding 'coercive unification' aimed at the party leadership, saying, "I will not comment on whether it is coercion or not," while adding, "Considering various schedules, I believe their supporters were not opposed to the statement suggesting unification right after the candidate is confirmed. After that, it cannot be seen as coercive."
The spokesperson noted that regarding the additional meeting suggested by Kim at 4 p.m. that day, "Unless they cancel it, we will definitely follow it," and added, "We have not been informed about the location." He also mentioned that regarding the TV debate scheduled for 6 p.m. that day with Kim, "Since we indicated we would participate in the debate, we will participate in a manner that allows for a debate with only one candidate."