Impeached South Korean ex-president Yoon quits party ahead of snap election

He urged voters to support his former labour minister Kim Moon-soo, the PPP's presidential candidate and the only cabinet member who had refused to bow in apology for failing to prevent martial law.

A TV screen shows footage of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's address at the final hearing of his trial during a news program at a bus terminal in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. FILE Photo | AP

SEOUL: South Korea's ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol left his conservative party on Saturday as it gears up for snap elections triggered by his impeachment over a failed bid to impose martial law.

The People Power Party (PPP) had been under pressure to expel Yoon ahead of the June 3 election, as polls showed it trailing the main opposition party – the Democratic Party of Korea.

"I am leaving the People Power Party today," Yoon, who is standing trial on criminal charges of insurrection, wrote on Facebook.

He urged voters to support his former labour minister Kim Moon-soo, the PPP's presidential candidate.

Kim shot to public prominence as the only cabinet member who refused to bow in apology for failing to prevent martial law. This week, he said for the first time that he was "sincerely sorry to the people who are suffering" because of the suspension of civilian rule.

Yoon's December martial law declaration – which he claimed was necessary to break legislative gridlock and "root out" pro-North Korean "anti-state" forces – inflamed political divisions in South Korea, while garnering support from extreme religious figures and right-wing YouTubers.

Pro-Yoon rallies turned violent in January when extremist supporters stormed a Seoul courthouse. Four of them were handed jail terms this week. Yoon was accused of tacitly encouraging the violence after warning that the country was "in danger" and pledging to stand with his hardline supporters "to the very end."

On Saturday, Yoon said the upcoming snap election is the "last chance to prevent totalitarian dictatorship and protect liberal democracy and the rule of law." But the Democratic Party called Yoon "shamelss" for invoking "the very liberal democracy he himself destroyed."

PPP candidate Kim said he respects Yoon's exit and pledged to "strive to make our party more united and more innovative."

According to a Gallup poll released Friday, the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung – who is currently facing multiple criminal trials – is leading with 51 percent support, followed by the PPP's Kim at 29 percent.