| Yoon Suk-yeol, left, and Hong Joon-pyo are seen at a People Power Party primary event in Seoul, in this Nov. 5, 2021 file photo. Korea Times file |
Main opposition People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is likely to meet with a former rival in his party's primary race, officials said Friday, as he tries to regain public support after defusing internal strife with the PPP leader.
Yoon requested a meeting with Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, the runner-up in the party's primary, and the two are expected to meet behind closed doors next week, sources said.
Hong is considered more popular among younger voters than Yoon.
"If the meeting is arranged, it would take place privately with the two having a frank dialogue," an official close to Hong said.
The move comes after Yoon made a dramatic reconciliation with PPP chief Lee Jun-seok, Thursday.
Yoon and Lee had been at odds over campaign issues and their feud was seen as one of the main reasons for Yoon's declining support, just about two months ahead of the March 9 presidential election
But the two vowed to put their differences behind them and move forward.
Hong has kept a low profile since his primary defeat to Yoon. But the veteran lawmaker reportedly played a part in the surprise reconciliation between Yoon and Lee, persuading both to calm down and find ways to work for an election win.
A PPP spokesman said Yoon is even scheduling a meeting with Kim Chong-in, the former leader of Yoon's campaign who earlier parted ways with the candidate.
Yoon announced the dissolution of his campaign committee Wednesday, including the departure of election czar Kim, and set up a new "slimmer and practical" campaign body. (Yonhap)