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South Korea's Conservative Party Picks Kim Moon-soo as Presidential Candidate for June Election
South Korea’s People Power Party nominates Kim Moon-soo for the June 3 snap election, sparked by President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment. Kim faces Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party as legal challenges heat up.
ND
by News Desk
2025-05-03
South Korea's Conservative Party Picks Kim Moon-soo as Presidential Candidate for June Election

Kim Moon-soo, a former labour minister and veteran political figure, has been nominated as the presidential candidate for South Korea's People Power Party (PPP) in the upcoming snap election, scheduled for June 3. Kim, 73, secured the nomination with 56.5 percent of the vote at the party’s national convention held in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

The snap election follows the impeachment of conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was dismissed after the South Korea Constitutional Court ruled that he grossly violated his duties by declaring martial law without justification on December 3. The ruling ended Yoon's presidency, forcing the country into an early vote to choose his successor.

Kim, once a labour activist before shifting to the conservative camp, previously served as labour minister under Yoon and as the governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2006 to 2014. His nomination represents a significant moment for the conservative party, which is now looking to regain control following Yoon’s impeachment.

Kim's primary opponent in the race will be Lee Jae-myung, the candidate from the liberal Democratic Party, who remains the frontrunner with nearly 50 percent support in a recent poll by Realmeter. Kim, however, has only 13 percent public backing, according to the same survey released on Monday.

In his acceptance speech, Kim pledged to implement business-friendly policies and strengthen South Korea’s stance against North Korea. He outlined a sweeping conservative vision, promising to provide incentives for businesses and innovation while bolstering support for young workers and underprivileged groups.

"I have never abandoned the weakest among us in the lowest of places," Kim said, recalling his time as a labour and democracy activist during university, a period for which he was jailed and expelled from school.

However, the presidential race has been further complicated by legal challenges to Lee Jae-myung’s eligibility to run. A Supreme Court ruling overturned a previous acquittal regarding allegations of election law violations during a previous campaign, sending the case back to an appeals court. It remains unclear when a final ruling will be made.

Adding to the political drama, Han Duck-soo, former Prime Minister under Yoon, also announced his candidacy this week. Han, although not a member of the conservative party, is considered a potential partner for the conservative camp in the race against the liberals.

The political landscape in South Korea continues to shift rapidly as both sides prepare for a fierce election battle. As Kim Moon-soo faces off against Lee Jae-myung, voters will likely be drawn into debates over South Korea’s economic future, national security, and policies toward North Korea.

 
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PresidentialRace

SouthKoreaPolitics

KoreanElection

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