### South Korea's Conservative Party Faces Turmoil as Presidential Candidate Switches In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea's conservative People Power Party (PPP) has experienced significant internal strife leading up to the presidential election scheduled for June 3, 2025. The party initially nominated Kim Moon-soo as its candidate, but after a series of chaotic developments, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attempted to take his place. However, Han ultimately withdrew his candidacy, allowing Kim to retain his position as the party's nominee. This political upheaval follows the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and reflects deep divisions within the conservative ranks as they prepare to face a liberal frontrunner in the upcoming election. ### Breakdown of Events Leading to Candidate Retention 1. **Initial Nomination and Controversy**: - Kim Moon-soo was selected as the PPP's presidential candidate on May 3, 2025, winning the primary with 56.3% of the vote [https://indianexpress.com/article/world/south-korea-conservative-party-switch-presidential-candidates-election-turmoil-9994092]. - Following his nomination, factions within the party, particularly loyalists of the impeached President Yoon, pushed for a change, believing Han Duck-soo would have a better chance against the Democratic frontrunner, Lee Jae-myung [https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/south-korea-s-conservative-party-seeks-new-candidate-amid-election-turmoil-125051000179_1.html]. 2. **Candidate Switch Attempt**: - On May 10, the PPP attempted to replace Kim with Han, leading to significant backlash and accusations of an "overnight political coup" from Kim [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/south-korean-conservative-party-moves-switch-presidential-candidates-election-turmoil-deepens-5121261]. - The party's internal vote to switch candidates failed, resulting in Kim's reinstatement just hours after his initial withdrawal [https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-conservative-party-reinstates-presidential-candidate-after-chaos/a-72504661]. 3. **Final Withdrawal of Han Duck-soo**: - Han Duck-soo ultimately withdrew his bid for the presidency, stating he "humbly accepts everything" and expressed hope for Kim's success in the election [https://indianexpress.com/article/world/south-korea-kim-retains-presidential-bid-han-withdraws-9995595]. - This decision marked the end of a brief but tumultuous period of contention within the conservative party, allowing Kim to solidify his position as the candidate [https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-koreas-former-pm-han-drops-presidential-bid-ending-rift-among-conservatives]. ### Supporting Evidence of Political Dynamics - **Polling Data**: Kim Moon-soo's initial primary win indicated a strong base of support within the party, but the subsequent push for Han highlighted the fractures in party unity [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2025/05/10/s-koreas-conservatives-drop-presidential-candidate]. - **Party Dynamics**: The internal conflict reflects broader issues within the PPP, as factions vie for influence and direction in the wake of Yoon's impeachment, complicating their strategy against the Democratic Party [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3377521-south-koreas-conservative-opposition-a-political-tug-of-war-unfolds]. ### Conclusion: A Path Forward for the PPP 1. **Reinstatement of Kim Moon-soo**: Kim's retention as the presidential candidate is a crucial step for the PPP as they seek to unify ahead of the election. 2. **Han Duck-soo's Withdrawal**: Han's exit from the race may help to stabilize the party, but it also underscores the ongoing challenges the PPP faces in consolidating support. 3. **Implications for the Election**: With the election just weeks away, the PPP must navigate its internal divisions while presenting a cohesive front against the Democratic Party's candidate, Lee Jae-myung. In summary, the recent events within South Korea's conservative party illustrate the complexities of political maneuvering in a high-stakes electoral environment, emphasizing the need for unity as they approach the upcoming presidential election [https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/korea-conservatives-move-to-switch-prez-candidate].