SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - Presidential candidates Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo met for a second round of unification talks on Thursday, but the discussion once again revealed sharp differences over the timing and terms of a potential single candidacy.
The meeting, held at the National Assembly’s Sarangjae at 4:30 p.m., was fully open to the press by prior agreement between both camps.
Han, an independent candidate and former prime minister, pushed for immediate resolution, stressing the need to finalize unification before the official registration period closes on May 11.
“Unification is the will of the people,” he said, adding, “Whatever method the party decides on, I will accept it.” He pointed to Kim’s repeated past statements during the People Power Party (PPP) primary in favor of unification.
“I feel like your request to postpone it by a week really means you don’t want this,” Han said. He urged Kim to reach a decision within “today or tomorrow,” warning that failure to do so would risk political irrelevance for both sides.
Kim, representing the PPP, responded that he had always supported the idea of unification but expressed discomfort with Han’s approach. “The first person I would naturally consider for unification is Prime Minister Han,” he said, but questioned why Han had remained outside the party.
“It only makes sense that if you were serious about running, you should have joined the PPP,” Kim said. He criticized Han for not participating in the party’s formal primary process, suggesting it was unfair for someone “who appeared late” to demand concessions from a candidate who had gone through all the required procedures.
Han replied that he would join the PPP immediately if unification were realized. He explained his absence from the primary was due to state responsibilities, including managing trade and economic issues in his role as acting president.
As tensions rose, Kim pushed back against the idea that he bore sole responsibility for achieving unification. “You’re handing me the bill,” he said. “You came in late and skipped the party primary, and now you’re asking me why I’m not keeping my promise.”
Han responded, “It’s not a bill. I’m not in a position to demand anything,” and urged Kim to act according to “the will of the people and party members.”
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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