Why Did Former South Korean President Yoon Depart from the PPP and Support Kim?

Seoul, May 17 (NationPress) Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol officially declared his exit from the People Power Party (PPP) on Saturday, encouraging the public to rally behind the party's presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Yoon expressed, "I am departing from the People Power Party today," while adding, "Even though I am parting ways with the party, I will remain committed to defending freedom and national sovereignty."

He urged voters to unite in support of Kim, highlighting the significance of participating in the forthcoming election.

"Please extend your support to Kim Moon-soo of the PPP. Make sure your voice is heard in the election. Every vote is crucial for preserving this nation’s freedom, sovereignty, and prosperity," he stated.

Yoon was ousted from office in April following a failed martial law initiative in December and is currently undergoing a criminal trial.

Within the conservative PPP, there have been increasing calls for the ousted President to sever ties with the party, as many members believe his departure is essential to revitalize Kim's stagnant polling figures against Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung.

"I trust that the (former) President will make a logical choice," said Rep. Kim Yong-tae, the interim party leader, during a press conference on Thursday. "As the interim leader, I respectfully suggest that the President exit the party."

PPP candidate Kim had largely maintained a neutral stance regarding Yoon's potential departure, stating that it was Yoon's decision whether to leave the PPP, while more centrist members of the party have urged leadership to voluntarily remove Yoon’s party affiliation.

Following Yoon's announcement, the PPP candidate expressed that he "respects" the former President's choice to withdraw from the party, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

"We will humbly accept his decision and strive to create a more united and innovative party, aligning our campaign and presidency with the will of the people," Kim Moon-soo told reporters after a campaign event at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Centre in Gwangju, approximately 270 kilometers south of Seoul.

When questioned about any prior coordination with Yoon regarding his exit, candidate Kim replied, "None at all."

Opposing parties criticized Yoon's departure, arguing that his statement lacked genuine reflection or apology for his martial law blunder.

DP spokesperson Rep. Hwang Jung-a commented during a briefing, "Yoon Suk Yeol's departure announcement is steeped in delusion and self-centeredness, devoid of any trace of remorse or apology."

"The PPP has forever marked itself as a pitiful remnant of insurrectionists, failing to expel the leader of insurrection on its own," she added.

Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the minor New Reform Party, also condemned Yoon.

"It’s disgraceful that the individual who incited chaos, consumed by delusions of election fraud, speaks of freedom, rule of law, sovereignty, happiness, and security," Lee posted on his Facebook page.