Seoul: As South Korea’s presidential election looms on June 3, former President Yoon Suk Yeol has formally departed the conservative People Power Party, urging voters to support Kim Moon-soo, the party’s embattled presidential candidate. Yoon’s exit follows his removal from office by the Constitutional Court due to his involvement in the Dec. 3 martial law declaration fiasco.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon’s resignation from the party, coming after significant internal pressure, was seen by many as a tactical move rather than a gesture of accountability. Despite the Constitutional Court’s ruling on April 4, Yoon’s decision to leave the party came only after escalating demands for his expulsion. His announcement of resignation, made personally rather than by the party, highlights the complex dynamics within the People Power Party.
Reactions within the party have been varied. Some officials are hopeful that Yoon’s departure might refocus the election and strengthen support for Kim Moon-soo. However, skepticism remains, with a senior lawmaker remarking that the move was “too late” to undo the damage already inflicted on the party’s image.
Opposition leaders have also weighed in on the event. Lee Jae-myung, the candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, labeled Yoon’s exit as a “political maneuver,” criticizing the timing and manner of the resignation as insincere. Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok from the New Reform Party expressed strong disapproval, emphasizing that Yoon’s resignation does not absolve him of his past actions.
The public response has been equally divided, with protests erupting in Seoul. Demonstrators were split between condemning Yoon as a traitor and defending him as a patriot, reflecting the national discord over his tenure.
Recent polls by Gallup Korea show a volatile political landscape. Lee Jae-myung currently leads with 51 percent support, while Kim Moon-soo follows with 29 percent, and Lee Jun-seok trails at 8 percent. Despite Yoon’s departure, his influence persists, complicating Kim Moon-soo’s campaign strategy. Kim faces the challenge of retaining Yoon’s loyalists without alienating moderates or facing backlash from embracing Yoon too closely.
Yoon’s delayed resignation, lacking accountability and transparency, has not only impacted his personal legacy but also posed a significant challenge for the People Power Party. The timing and sincerity of political actions are crucial, and Yoon’s recent decisions have left lingering skepticism and potential long-term ramifications for the conservative cause in South Korea.