In a significant political development in South Korea, Kim Moon Soo, a former labor minister and steadfast conservative, has secured the presidential nomination for the country’s primary conservative party. This sets the stage for a challenging contest against the liberal frontrunner, Lee Jae-myung, in the upcoming presidential election slated for June 3.
Political analysts predict that Kim will seek to form alliances with other conservative figures, such as former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, to consolidate conservative votes and enhance the prospects of defeating Lee. This strategy is essential to avoid vote fragmentation within conservative circles, boosting their chances of a successful campaign against the liberal competition.
Kim emerged victorious in the party primary, securing 56.5% of the votes against his sole opponent, Han Dong-hun, as announced by the party in a televised broadcast. Previous rounds had already eliminated other candidates. In his victory speech, Kim emphasized his commitment to build robust coalitions to thwart the rule of Lee Jae-myung and his Democratic Party. He expressed confidence in a win through strategies acceptable to the people and party members.
The June 3 election aims to elect a successor to President Yoon Suk Yeol, a member of the People Power Party, who was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in December and subsequently dismissed by the Constitutional Court in April due to his controversial imposition of martial law. This impeachment has stirred considerable discord within the party and remains a focal point in primary discussions.
Kim, who held the position of labor minister under Yoon, voiced his opposition to the impeachment despite disagreeing with Yoon’s martial law decision on December 3. Kim’s defiance of an opposition lawmaker’s demand for a public apology gesture in the National Assembly garnered him strong support from hardline People Power Party members.
Han Dong-hun, Kim’s primary opponent in the party’s primary and Yoon’s first justice minister, heads a minority reformist faction within the party. This faction played a decisive role in aligning with the liberal opposition to overturn Yoon’s decree and facilitate his impeachment. Without their backing, the opposition would have lacked the necessary votes for the impeachment motion.
Shin Yul, a professor of politics at Myonggi University in Seoul, remarked that Han’s victory might have increased public engagement due to his potential to attract moderate and swing voters.
Kim, aged 73, transitioned from a prominent labor activist during the 1970s and 80s to joining a conservative party in the 1990s, abandoning his revolutionary aspirations following the collapse of communist regimes. His political career includes serving as governor of South Korea’s densely populated Gyeonggi province for eight years and three terms as a National Assembly member.
Kim has articulated his election promises, focusing on combating corruption, reforming financial regulations, overhauling pension systems, and increasing government investment in AI infrastructure. He also intends to maintain a strong military alliance with the US and push for nuclear-powered submarines to bolster defenses against North Korean nuclear threats.
Although Lee Jae-myung remains the favorite in the election, his campaign encountered difficulties due to a Supreme Court ruling that mandates a retrial on his election law charges. With uncertainty over a potential court-imposed suspension of his campaign before the election, Lee will likely face intensified political challenges from his adversaries.