Han Deok-su Joins People Power Party Amid Presidential Race Shake-Up

(MHN Jimin Lee, Reporter) Independent presidential candidate Han Deok-su has joined the People Power Party (PPP).

Han officially became a member of the PPP on the morning of May 10, gaining the status of a responsible party member.

Lee Jeong-hyun, spokesperson for Han's campaign, stated in a briefing on the same day, "Han completed the process of joining the PPP and became a responsible member following the decisions of the PPP’s Emergency Response Committee and Election Campaign Committee."

Through a message titled "A Letter to My Fellow Members of the People Power Party," Han stated, "My goal is simple: that this miracle should not end here, and that South Korea must continue to move forward. I believe this is the will of the people and the will of the party members."

He continued, "We are facing a desperate crisis, worried that the South Korea we worked so hard to build could be held back by flawed politics and may come to a halt. We must win. To win, unification is essential. We must move forward together, forming a strong team toward the life-or-death goal of changing politics and reviving the economy. The command of the party members, the will of the people, and the mandate of the times."

Reflecting on his political career, Han remarked, "I began my career in 1970 and have served in public office for nearly half a century. The last three years, I served as Prime Minister, working closely with the ruling People Power Party, truly and intensely contributing to national governance."

He emphasized, "I am not a mercenary suddenly appearing from the outside. For the last three years, I have fought alongside all of you at the forefront of national governance against the rampage of the opposition party." He stressed to the party members his deep connection with the People Power Party.

Han further stated, "Every time the National Assembly was in session, and when the impeachment motions were passed, People Power Party members were my most reliable policy partners and allies."

He added, "When opposition lawmakers pushed through irrational policies solely by the power of numbers, the People Power Party members and supporters fought against the opposition's legislative dictatorship with all their strength."

He concluded, "As of today, we are no longer just partners or allies; we are family. We must unite in one heart and one body to revive the economy, protect liberal democracy, and safeguard South Korea."

On the same day, the People Power Party held a meeting of the Emergency Response Committee and the Election Management Committee early in the morning, canceling the selection of former presidential candidate Kim Mun-su from the party. Immediately afterward, a public notice was posted for new presidential candidate registrations.

This decision follows the dismissal by the court of Kim's application for a 'confirmation of presidential candidate status' and a 'ban on the national convention and national committee meetings.' The action also follows the collapse of unification negotiations with Han Deok-su.

Shin Dong-wook, the senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated, "We will cancel Kim's candidacy and proceed with the registration of new candidates by the afternoon of May 10.

The candidate registration documents will need to be submitted, and the committee will decide on document reviews and other procedures."

After the candidate registration deadline, the People Power Party will hold consecutive meetings of the Emergency Response Committee and the Election Management Committee to proceed with the nationwide party member voting process.

photos=Yonhap News Agency