Seoul: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has emphasized the importance of unifying the conservative presidential candidacy ahead of the June 3 election, as discussions continue with People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Han, who has entered the race as an independent preliminary candidate, highlighted his commitment to forming a unified candidacy with Kim during a debate session with journalists. He firmly stated that failing to consolidate the candidacies would be a significant betrayal to the electorate.

Han has initiated contact with Kim's team to explore the possibility of merging their campaigns to effectively compete against Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, who is currently leading in opinion polls. The 75-year-old former acting president has become a prominent figure in the conservative field following the departure of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed after declaring martial law.

The deadline for Han and Kim to register as a single candidate with the National Election Commission is May 11, marking a crucial date for their potential collaboration.