South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) has officially confirmed former labour minister Kim Moon-soo as its presidential candidate, following a dramatic internal dispute over his candidacy.

The confirmation came after the party leadership's unprecedented attempt to replace Kim with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was rejected by party members in a closely contested vote, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Kim, 73, who won the party’s primary last week ahead of the June 3 presidential election, called the leadership’s move to overturn the results an “overnight political coup.” Despite pressure from the top ranks of the PPP, members ultimately voted to uphold Kim’s nomination, allowing him to register his candidacy with the National Election Commission on Sunday.

“This presidential election is particularly crucial as it will determine who can overcome the current crisis facing our nation and work toward the happiness of our people,” Kim said at a press conference. “I pledge to do my utmost to secure victory and lead South Korea toward becoming an even greater nation.”

Han Duck-soo, who had served as acting president since the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December, formally resigned on May 2 to run for president. However, in the wake of Sunday’s vote, Han accepted the outcome and announced his retirement from political life.

“Now, I am stepping back from everything and returning to the life of an ordinary citizen,” he said, while congratulating Kim on securing the nomination.

The PPP has been grappling with internal instability following Yoon’s ouster late last year. Yoon, a controversial figure within his own party, was removed from office by the National Assembly after attempting to impose martial law amid rising public discontent. His departure plunged the party into crisis and forced an urgent recalibration of its leadership and electoral strategy.

Kim, once a prominent labour activist before aligning with the conservative bloc in the 1990s, now faces an uphill battle against the oppositional Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung. Despite facing multiple criminal trials, Lee currently leads in most opinion polls, capitalising on public frustration with the ruling party’s recent turmoil.

A meeting between Kim and Han is expected at the PPP headquarters in the coming days, in an attempt to project unity ahead of the election campaign.

The June 3 election will determine who will guide South Korea through a period marked by political uncertainty, economic challenges, and ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

By Khagan Isayev

Source: caliber.az