Seoul: The new interim leader of the People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday called on former President Yoon Suk Yeol to leave the party. This request is aimed at bolstering the party's chances in the upcoming June 3 presidential election, as the PPP is currently struggling to close the gap with its rival, the Democratic Party (DP).
According to Yonhap News Agency, there has been an increasing demand within the PPP for the former president to cut ties with the party. Many members believe that his departure is essential for improving the presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo's stagnant poll numbers. The conservative PPP, of which Yoon is a member, has been distancing itself from him amid difficulties in matching the DP's presidential contender, Lee Jae-myung, with less than three weeks remaining before the election.
"I believe the (former) president will make a rational decision," said Rep. Kim Yong-tae during a press conference after being named the interim PPP leader. "As the interim leader, I would respectfully recommend the president leave the party."
The upcoming election aims to find a successor to Yoon, who was removed from office on April 4 due to a failed martial law attempt, leaving the PPP in disarray. Kim Moon-soo, the PPP's candidate, has maintained neutrality on Yoon's potential exit, stating it is Yoon's decision to make.
"A president's party departure is a matter that will be decided by the president," Kim told reporters when questioned on the issue.
Some PPP members suggest it might be challenging for Kim Moon-soo to explicitly call for Yoon's departure, indicating that Kim Yong-tae might lead these efforts. "The fact that (Yoon's) impeachment was just is acknowledged by many people," Kim Yong-tae mentioned in an interview with SBS Radio. "We plan to put everything to an end before the week concludes."
Kim also announced plans to amend the PPP's charter and regulations to prevent presidents affiliated with the party from interfering in party matters. "We'll push for institutionalizing party democracy by normalizing the relationship between the ruling party and the president," he stated. "We plan to prohibit the president from intervening in key party affairs, such as internal elections, nominations, and appointments of party officials."