South Korea
PPP Battles Internal Divisions Ahead of Presidential Elections
Following a phase of heightened instability triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in December 2024, his impeachment in April 2025 has brought a period of relative calm. Now, the parties are preparing for the upcoming election.
Amid this turbulent backdrop, the progressive Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has already nominated its candidate for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for June 3, 2025. Lee Jae-myung, a former governor of Gyeonggi Province, secured the nomination by winning nearly 90 percent of the votes in the party's primary elections. He currently leads national polls with around 38 percent support.
In contrast, the PPP is still grappling with internal divisions and has yet to select its presidential candidate at the national convention on May 3. Following the elimination of Ahn Cheol-soo and Hong Joon-pyo, the party still has yet to decide between the moderate Kim Moon-soo and the conservative hardliner Han Dong-hoon.
Both candidates represent opposing wings of the party, with the key fault line being their stance toward impeached President Yoon. His declaration of martial law has divided the party. Senior figures who once supported Yoon Suk Yeol are deeply divided with some advocating for distancing from his controversial legacy, while others continue to support his policies.
The outcome will not only have significant implications for the campaign strategy of the PPP, but also for Korea’s democracy as a whole. A PPP presidential candidate committed to moderation and reform could help heal societal rifts and strengthen democratic norms. However, a continuation of hardline conservatism might deepen existing polarization.
The first candidate, Kim Moon-soo, a 73-year-old veteran conservative from Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, has held prominent positions such as Minister of Employment and Labor and Governor of Gyeonggi Province. Known for his roots in pro-democracy activism and later as a three-term National Assembly member, Kim is recognized for his unwavering support of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and has criticized Yoon’s impeachment as politically motivated. His platform emphasizes traditional conservative values, economic revitalization, and national security. During his time as governor, he promoted major infrastructure projects, including the ambitious but ultimately unrealized Universal Studios Korea Resort.
Kim appeals strongly to the party's right-wing base. His nomination could consolidate conservative support, but also risks reigniting the political tensions that intensified during Yoon’s presidency.
Han Dong-hoon, the second candidate of the PPP, is a 52-year-old former Minister of Justice and interim party leader. Originally from Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, he studied at SNU and Columbia Law school. Known for his tough stance and legal expertise, he made a name for himself as a star prosecutor in high-profile corruption cases involving former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, as well as Samsung President Lee Jae-yong.
Han was once a close ally of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Even though he opposed Yoon’s martial law declaration in December 2024, he initially rejected calls for Yoons impeachment and stayed loyal to the president. However, upon learning that Yoon had allegedly ordered the arrest of key politicians during the martial law period, including Han himself, Han later shifted his position and backed the impeachment effort.
He now calls for unity and a broader appeal to all South Koreans. His campaign focuses on anti-corruption, institutional reform, and modernizing the party. Key proposals include enhancing national defense with a nuclear submarine program and easing urban congestion in Seoul through the development of five satellite cities.
Han Dong-hoon's candidacy offers an opportunity to bridge partisan divides and restore public trust in democratic institutions. His stance against Yoon's martial law declaration and emphasis on constitutional order resonate with citizens seeking stability and democratic resilience.
*Zeynep Gezen is majoring in Integrated Korean Studies at Freie Universität Berlin in Germany. Since April 2025, she has been completing her mandatory internship at the Korea Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Seoul, which will continue until July 2025.