Former President Yoon Suk-yeol abruptly left the People Power Party on the 17th. This comes about 3 years and 10 months after he joined the party in July 2021. With the former president facing trial on charges of rebellion, his departure comes just 17 days before the election, raising questions about its potential impact on the upcoming race.
On this day, the former president officially announced his intention to leave the party through his Facebook, saying, "I am leaving the People Power Party today. Although I am leaving the party, I will serve without wearing armor to protect freedom and sovereignty."
He further noted, "This departure is the best path I can take to win the election and defend liberal democracy," and appealed, "Please unite your strength with Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party."
In response, Candidate Kim met with reporters in Gwangju and said, "We will take the former president's intentions to heart and ensure that the party becomes more united and innovative to become a president that reflects the will of the people," adding, "We respect the former president's departure." The Democratic Party of Korea criticized this departure as providing "an alibi for breaking away from rebellion leadership."
The former president's departure occurred amid increasing demands within the People Power Party for his expulsion and voluntary resignation. There were rising calls within the party to "organize relationships with the former president and focus on the election."
As the June 3 early presidential election approaches, they are struggling to close the gap in support rates with Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung due to the failure of unification with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and issues surrounding the former president's party affiliation.
The People Power Party expects that the former president's voluntary resignation will serve as an opportunity to overturn the election dynamics.
Han Dong-hoon, who competed with Candidate Kim during the primary process, indirectly expressed his intention to help Candidate Kim's campaign, saying, "I will meet with the people on-site next week," while a special delegation led by lawmakers Yoo Sang-beom and Kim Dae-sik is set to depart on the 18th to persuade former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo.
Some speculate that the former president's failure to issue an apology or message of remorse, along with attempts to recruit former Minister of National Defense Jeong Ho-yong—who was convicted for his role in the 12-12 military coup and the suppression of the Gwangju pro-democracy movement—could hinder Candidate Kim's efforts to seek moderate expansion in the remaining period.
Choi Chang-ryeol, a special professor at Yongin University, said, "If Candidate Kim does not show a proactive change in his perception regarding impeachment in the first TV debate among candidates on the 18th, the impact of the former president's departure may not be significant."