( LEAD ) Former interim head of Democratic Party declares presidential bid ( ATTN : RECASTS headline , lead ; UPDATES with remarks from Kim , additional information , minor changes in paras 2 - 3 , 6 ; REPLACES photo ) SEOUL , April 5 ( Yonhap ) -- Kim Chong - in , a former interim chief of the liberal Democratic Party , announced on Wednesday that he will run for president in the upcoming election in what was widely viewed as an attempt to promote a coalition against the presidential front - runner who he calls a radical . " I wish to win the people ' s support in the election without the nomination of any political party , " Kim said at a press conference in Seoul . " As the best mediator who can embrace various people of various factions , I will work to help stabilize the nation and allow the people to live comfortably , " he added . Kim ' s presidential bid had been widely expected since his departure from the party early last month . But few believe the former head of the country ' s largest party is earnestly running for president as he is often viewed as a kingmaker . Kim Chong - in , former interim chief of the liberal Democratic Party , announces his bid in the upcoming presidential election at a press conference held in Seoul on April 5 , 2017 . ( Yonhap ) " It is my wish to see a new leader who can resolve the ongoing political , economic and social conflicts , emerge , " Kim said earlier . He also remains an outspoken critic of presidential front - runner Moon Jae - in of his former party , accusing him of practicing authoritarian leadership that he claims to despise . Moon was named the presidential candidate of the largest party earlier this week after sweeping all four rounds of the party primary . With Kim ' s self - declared bid , the number of potential contenders in the May 9 election has now come to at least eight . All five political parties with parliamentary members have fielded their candidates . They include Ahn Cheol - soo of the center - left People ' s Party , Rep . Yoo Seong - min of the conservative Bareun Party and Hong Joon - pyo , the standard - bearer of the former ruling Liberty Korea Party and incumbent governor of South Gyeongsang Province . Others include Lee Jae - oh , a former lawmaker and close confidante of former President Lee Myung - bak , and former National Intelligence Service chief Nam Jae - joon . bdk @ yna . co . kr ( END )