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Presidential candidates for the 21st election— (from left) former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, Rep. Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party, former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo —speak at their respective campaign offices and the National Assembly's press center on April 15. / Photos by Lee Byung-hwa and Song Ui-joo (photolbh@)

The People Power Party (PPP) began rallying support on April 15 for a broad conservative-centrist coalition to counter the dominant candidacy of Lee Jae-myung, former Democratic Party leader, in the upcoming June 3 presidential election.

Following the recent exits of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min from the race, calls have intensified within conservative and centrist circles for a “big tent” alliance to unite all anti-Lee forces. According to a Realmeter poll conducted from April 9 to 11, PPP candidates trailed Lee by at least 26 percentage points, reinforcing the urgency among opposition figures to consolidate support.

The party’s presidential contenders are now increasingly vocal about the need for unity under the “big tent” strategy, anticipating a head-to-head electoral battle. The situation draws parallels to the two-person races of the 2002 and 2012 elections, when strong convention momentum shifted the political landscape. In 2002, Roh Moo-hyun overcame frontrunner Lee Hoi-chang through a late surge in support—an outcome PPP figures are now aiming to replicate.

PPP lawmaker Na Kyung-won, appearing on a YouTube broadcast, said, “If we truly care about the future of South Korea, we must consider bold decisions and imagine new possibilities,” referring to the idea of a third-zone coalition.

Kim Dae-sik, PPP lawmaker and chief of staff for former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo’s campaign, echoed the sentiment: “The Democratic Party clearly expects Lee Jae-myung to secure the nomination. All anti-Lee forces must unite.” He added, “Once the PPP selects its candidate, that person must build a big tent to bring everyone together—otherwise, victory will be very difficult.”

The party leadership also made its stance clear. During a party strategy meeting, PPP floor leader Kwon Seong-dong stressed, “We must overcome the Lee Jae-myung camp that will drive this country into endless conflict and division. Despite our internal differences, this is a shared mission.”

However, not all voices within the PPP are aligned. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo expressed skepticism, calling the big tent plan “premature,” pointing out that the party has yet to select its official nominee.