The article discusses the ongoing situation surrounding the potential unification of candidates in the South Korean presidential election. As Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party has clarified his intention to complete the presidential race, the People Power Party (PPP) continues to urge a unified candidacy with Kim Moon-soo. With Kim’s rising popularity, the PPP sees unification as a key strategy in the election.
Shin Dong-wook, the PPP’s chief spokesperson, stated that the possibility for unification remains open until the early voting begins, emphasizing the need to persistently pursue the agenda, as public opinion could grow more favorable towards unification over time. He remarked on the candidates’ increasing approval ratings and the synergistic effect that could result from their unification.
Similarly, Ahn Cheol-soo of the same party urged Lee, through his Facebook post, to become a “true first penguin” for the country, suggesting unification is not merely a political maneuver to defeat candidate Lee Jae-myung but a starting point for a coalition government to save the country in crisis.
Yun Jae-ok, the general election strategy director, noted the need to create a scenario where unification negotiations can proceed smoothly by boosting support for the candidates first.
However, the Reform Party expressed discomfort with the PPP’s continuous appeals for unification. Lee Dong-hoon, Reform Party’s chief spokesperson, criticized PPP’s insistence on the issue as a strategy to later blame Lee if defeated and to position him as a rival within the party’s leadership race.
Democratic Party members have also commented on the situation, with Lee Kwang-jae suggesting it would be foolish for Lee Jun-seok to unify with Kim Moon-soo, and Park Ji-won predicting that a unification scenario would not occur unless initiated by Kim Moon-soo himself.