Seoul: People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo kicked off his official campaign for the presidential election at a traditional market in Seoul on Monday, following days of internal strife within the conservative party regarding a potential candidacy merger with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

According to Yonhap News Agency, seven candidates have officially entered the race for the June 3 presidential election, which was triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid in December. Kim faces a formidable opponent in Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung, who currently holds a wide lead in opinion polls.

Kim, a former labor minister, began his campaign at Garak Market in the early hours, engaging with vendors who trade in wholesale agricultural and fisheries products and emphasizing his commitment to economic and livelihood issues. "I think I should be a president who makes South Korea a better place to live," Kim stated, clad in a red jumper, to reporters. Addressing the recent intraparty strife over a unified candidacy with Han, Kim remarked that the discord ultimately led to "stronger unity" within the conservative party.

Describing the race as "very dynamic," Kim expressed confidence in his ability to close the gap with the DP's Lee. According to a Realmeter poll released Sunday, Lee secured 52.1 percent support compared to Kim's 31.1 percent in the hypothetical three-way race, which also involved Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party.

Later in the day, Kim plans to visit a national cemetery in Daejeon to pay tribute to veterans who sacrificed their lives defending South Korea against North Korean provocations in the tensely guarded western sea. Following that, he will travel to a traditional market in Daegu to garner support in the conservative stronghold.