PPP moves away from ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol

Seoul: South Korea’s People Power Party (PPP) is showing signs of distancing itself from ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol as the country prepares for the June 3 presidential election. The PPP is struggling to keep up with Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung in the race to replace Yoon, who was ousted over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

PPP presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo recently stated that former President Yoon will make his own decision regarding his future with the party, adding that it is important to respect Yoon’s judgment. This comment is a shift from his earlier statement that he was not considering Yoon’s expulsion from the party. Some PPP lawmakers also suggested that if Yoon voluntarily left, it could help the party attract centrist voters.

Yang Hyang-ja, a co-chair of the PPP’s election committee, urged Yoon to stay silent during his trials and leave the party voluntarily. She mentioned that if he does not, the party could take "compulsory measures." Han Dong-hoon, another former PPP leader, also called for Yoon’s expulsion to help the party move past his martial law controversy.

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung, the DP’s presidential candidate, demanded that the PPP expel Yoon immediately, calling him a "military coup leader" due to his failed martial law bid in December and ongoing criminal charges related to insurrection. The situation within the PPP remains tense as the election draws closer.