"Let's Judge Coup Politics": Gwangju and South Jeolla Protest Kim Moonsoo's Replacement

by Song Bohyeon

Published 10 May.2025 18:26(KST)

Updated 26 Jul.2025 21:01(KST)

Gwangju Democratic Party: "Candidate Snatching is the Destruction of Democracy"
Stripping Kim Moonsoo and Nominating Han Ducksoo is a Party Coup
Gwangju and South Jeolla Lawmakers: "Shell Game and Free Rider Politics"
"Declaring Himself Successor to the Ringleader of Rebellion... Must Be Overwhelmingly Judged"

The political circles in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province strongly protested, calling it a "destruction of party democracy," after the People Power Party abruptly replaced presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo in the middle of the night and re-nominated former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo as the sole candidate.

From the left, former People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo, at the center of the controversy over the replacement of the presidential candidate, and new presidential candidate Han Ducksoo. Photo by Yonhap News

On May 10, the Gwangju chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea issued a statement, criticizing, "The 'candidate snatching operation' carried out by the People Power Party last night is an act of violence against democracy," and added, "The process of stripping Kim Moonsoo of his candidacy and registering former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo as the presidential candidate just 20 minutes after his party admission was a thoroughly orchestrated coup within the party."

The statement continued, "This is a political atrocity that best exemplifies the disgrace of being known as the 'party of rebellion'," and added, "Han Ducksoo has declared himself the successor to the ringleader of rebellion, and the People Power Party must be judged by the power of the voters."

Democratic Party lawmakers from the Gwangju and South Jeolla regions also continued their criticism on social media. Representative Jeon Jinsook (Gwangju Buk-gu-eul) remarked, "The People Power Party has become a comedy show by changing its presidential candidate," and added, "Seeing them continue down the path of ruin, I can't even laugh anymore."

Representative Park Kyuntaek (Gwangju Gwangsan-gap) criticized, "Han Ducksoo, who was carried to the top by a coup within the party, is ultimately just a free rider," while Representative Min Hyungbae (Gwangju Gwangsan-eul) pointed out, "Those who treat the presidential election like a shell game are truly remarkable."

Criticism also emerged from South Jeolla. Representative Lee Gaeho (Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, Jangseong) stated, "The People Power Party has once again staged a praetorian coup in the middle of the night," and added, "Putting Kim Moonsoo forward as the candidate and then suddenly announcing his cancellation is always beyond imagination."

Representative Kim Moonsu (Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, Gurye-gap) addressed his namesake, People Power Party candidate Kim Moonsoo, saying, "Do not surrender, and continue the democratization struggle to dismantle the corrupt PPP until the end."

Representative Moon Geumjoo (Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, Gangjin) stated, "It is laughable that Han Ducksoo, who has never even spent his own money, has become the number one accomplice of the rebellious faction and is now the candidate."

Jung Cheongrae, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, also posted on Facebook during election campaigning in Gwangju and South Jeolla, saying, "Yet another coup in the form of a candidate replacement has occurred," and added, "Let us permanently expel the coup forces with an overwhelming presidential victory."