Ruling and Opposition Parties Eye 'An Unification Card'... Could It Become a Late-Stage Variable in the Presidential Election?

People Power Party Divided: "Must Unite to Win" VS "Unification Is for 2nd or 3rd Place"
Democratic Party "We Are Open"... Love Call to Ahn
Ahn Cheol-soo Rejects Unification Possibility: "Goal Is Winning, Not Just Completing"
Experts: "Unification Crucial in 'Neck-and-Neck Race'... But Won't Be Easy"

On the afternoon of the 3rd, at the KBS Open Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, during the joint invitation '2022 Presidential Candidate Debate' hosted by the three major broadcasters, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (left), is returning to his seat after finishing a commemorative photo. On the right is Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] As the presidential election approaches, 'candidate unification' is being cited as the biggest variable. In a situation where the two leading candidates are in a neck-and-neck race, the side that brings in the support rate of Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, through unification can gain a relatively advantageous position.

Candidate Ahn is securing support within 10%. According to a presidential candidate support survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI) on behalf of Kukmin Ilbo from the 3rd to 4th of this month, targeting 1,006 adult men and women nationwide, Ahn recorded an 8.4% support rate. In the same survey, Candidate Yoon had 37.2%, and Candidate Lee had 35.1%. For detailed information, please refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.

Within the People Power Party, opinions are divided regarding unification. On the 6th, Won Hee-ryong, head of the policy division of the election campaign headquarters, said, "The time has come. To win in this ultra-close presidential election, we must unify with Candidate Ahn." On the other hand, Kwon Young-se, head of the campaign headquarters, rebutted, stating, "The People Power Party campaign headquarters has never mentioned candidate unification and has not discussed any plans for it," revealing differing views.

Lee Jun-seok, who has taken a confrontational stance against Candidate Ahn, also supported the argument against unification. At a talk concert held at Cheongna Blue Nova Hall on the same day, he said, "Unification is when the second or third place candidates try to beat the first place. The moment that language is brought up, we enter the language of losers. Our party’s priority is to enhance Candidate Yoon Seok-youl’s competitiveness," adding, "By this Friday (the 11th), the word unification will no longer be mentioned."

Lee has long positioned himself as an 'Ahn Cheol-soo sniper.' On the 26th of last month, appearing on CBS Radio’s 'Hanpan Seungbu,' he expressed discomfort with Ahn’s 'unification demand conditions,' saying, "In the past, when perceived as a broad progressive, we conceded to former Mayor Park Won-soon and also to President Moon Jae-in. But when it comes to the conservative side, they keep saying 'Let’s have a unification showdown,' 'Let’s have a primary,' and their demands are always tough. What grudge do they have against us that they keep coming over with such harsh conditions and spoil the atmosphere?" he questioned.

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, is attending the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the other hand, within the Democratic Party, there is an 'open attitude' toward unification with Candidate Ahn. Woo Sang-ho, head of the Democratic Party’s general election campaign headquarters, said at a press conference on the same day, "From the perspective of Lee Jae-myung’s campaign headquarters, we are open," adding, "Since the candidate registration period is from the 14th to 15th, this week is when this issue (unification) becomes a hot topic. We are approaching various issues with Candidate Ahn with an open mind."

Song Young-gil, the party leader, also cited unification as the biggest variable in this presidential election and sent a love call to Candidate Ahn. In an interview with Seoul Shinmun on the same day, he said, "Candidate Ahn’s pledge for a 'Science and Technology Korea' can be much better implemented by Candidate Lee Jae-myung. For Ahn’s policies to be realized, it must be done with the Democratic Party, which holds an overwhelming number of seats," adding, "With 105 seats (People Power Party) and 3 seats (People’s Party) combined to make 108 seats, it will lead to 108 worries."

However, Candidate Ahn has dismissed the possibility of unification. On the 6th, appearing on MBN’s 'Jung Woon-gap’s Focused Analysis,' when asked about unification, he emphasized, "The goal is not to complete the race but to win."

Candidate Ahn continued, "I believe that citizens will properly evaluate the morality, family issues, ability, and government experience of the two major party candidates, creating an atmosphere that Ahn Cheol-soo is the best candidate," and stated, "The people will judge which candidate is more qualified and rally behind them."

Experts see the unification issue as important in the current situation where the two major party candidates are in a neck-and-neck race. Lee Jun-han, professor of political science and diplomacy at Incheon National University, analyzed, "Recent polls show no overwhelming first place; (Candidates Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl) are in a close race. It is a situation difficult to predict, so support rates can be greatly affected depending on whether unification occurs."

Professor Lee further predicted that unification with the two major parties would not be easy. He explained, "Both major parties hope that Candidate Ahn will unify with them. However, the People Power Party may go independently, and since (Candidate Ahn) has already turned his back on the Democratic Party to a large extent, unification is not an easy situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.