"Yoon May Voluntarily Leave the Party as Early as Today"...Will This Be a Turning Point in the Presidential Race?

Seo Jungwook and Cho Wonjin Predict Voluntary Departure
Calls for Expulsion Grow Within the Party
Kim Moonsoo Says, "Leaving the Party Is the President's Decision"

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is speculated to voluntarily leave the party as early as May 14. As calls for his expulsion from both inside and outside the People Power Party are growing, there is an expectation that he may make a self-sacrificing decision.

On May 14, Cho Wonjin, leader of the Our Republican Party, said on YTN Radio's "News Fighting," "Yoon's closest associates are persuading him. Since former President Yoon's position is clearly that Kim Moonsoo should be the candidate rather than Lee Jaemyung, I think a decision may come today."

Seo Jungwook, a conservative political commentator known for his familiarity with the presidential office in Yongsan, also predicted on May 13 on YTN Radio's "Lee Ikseon Choi Sooyoung Issue & People" that "the presidential race could be shaken once again if former President Yoon makes a sacrificial and preemptive decision to leave the party, possibly as early as tomorrow."

Former President Yoon Sukyeol is leaving after the third trial for charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of authority obstructing the exercise of rights held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on May 12, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Within the People Power Party, voices calling for the expulsion of former President Yoon are also growing louder. On May 13, former party leader Han Donghoon wrote on Facebook, "There should be an apology for condoning the illegal imposition of martial law and opposing impeachment (and those involved should be excluded from party and election positions), and the party and the Yoon Sukyeol couple must sever ties by expelling former President Yoon from the party."

Yang Hyangja, co-chair of the People Power Party's election committee, said on KBS Radio the same day, "There is a saying that you should leave while you are still applauded, before being forced off the stage," and argued that if this does not happen, "compulsory measures must be taken."

On the other hand, Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, continues to take an ambiguous stance regarding former President Yoon's departure from the party. Speaking with reporters at the Aerospace Administration in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, Kim said, "I have not heard anything about what former President Yoon intends to do," and added, "I believe the President will make a wise decision. It is right to respect the President's judgment."

Kim Yongtae, the nominee for emergency committee chair, also withheld a clear answer regarding his relationship with former President Yoon during an interview on CBS Radio, saying, "There is a wide range of opinions among party members and many citizens," and "During the election process, I will present a solution that can satisfy as many people as possible." If Kim is officially appointed as emergency committee chair at the National Committee meeting on May 15, he is expected to announce his position on demands to clarify the party's relationship with former President Yoon.