The People Power Party(PPP) will conduct a survey of all its members on Wednesday to determine whether they support or oppose its proposal to unite the conservative candidates’ campaigns ahead of the June 3 presidential election.

At a general meeting of party representatives on Tuesday, PPP interim chief Kwon Young-se said now is the time to join forces to secure victory in the election, urging the candidates not to neglect a great cause for the sake of small gains.

The move is considered an attempt by the party to increase pressure on PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo to form a united front with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has declared his independent bid for the presidency.

Kwon said the party’s candidacy must be unified with Han’s by Sunday, the election watchdog’s final day to register candidates.

Stressing that Kim was elected in the party primary based on his pledge to unite his campaign with Han’s, the interim chief warned that Kim would be betraying the party and the general public should he fail to make good on that promise.

The party later said Kwon will visit Daegu with floor leader Kweon Seong-dong to meet with Kim, who has been campaigning in the southeastern Gyeongsang region. 

But shortly after the announcement Kim told reporters he was immediately suspending his campaign and returning to Seoul to plan his next steps, saying the leadership is attempting to force out the party’s legitimate candidate.