People Power Party Rattled by Calls for Yoon Sukyeol's Departure, Presidential Office Remains Silent

Calls for Departure Surge as Part of Change and Renewal...
Some Say It Is Premature

Former President Yoon Seokyeol, who was indicted on charges including leading a rebellion related to the December 3 emergency martial law incident, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after the third trial session held on May 12, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The People Power Party is in turmoil over the issue of former President Yoon Sukyeol leaving the party. While a sense of crisis is spreading, especially among those led by Kim Yongtae, the emergency committee chair of the People Power Party, that Yoon's departure is inevitable for the party to undergo meaningful change, there is also a strong opinion that consolidating the support base should take priority over expelling the former president.

According to political circles and the presidential office on May 15, Kim, who was appointed as the People Power Party's emergency committee chair that day, announced, "I will incorporate the three principles of party-government cooperation, separation of the party and the president, and prohibition of personalizing the party into the party constitution and regulations regarding the relationship between the party and the president."

At his inaugural press conference at the National Assembly, Kim stated, "I will push for institutionalizing party democracy by normalizing the relationship between the ruling party and the president, which has been delayed for too long." He also urged Yoon to leave the party, saying, "Please make a decisive choice for the sake of victory in the presidential election." Regarding the principle of "prohibiting personalization of the party," he said, "We will not tolerate the formation of either pro-presidential or anti-presidential factions within the party, and we will guarantee internal democracy and the autonomy of lawmakers."

Recently, Kim has been actively demanding Yoon's departure from the party, increasing pressure for Yoon to leave voluntarily. Within the People Power Party, especially among those who struggled with allegations of Yoon's interference in the party's primary, there is a growing sense of urgency that the timing of Yoon's departure can no longer be delayed. With stagnant support in the conservative camp and internal divisions caused by conflicts among candidates during the primary, Yoon's departure is being presented as one of the cards to renew the party atmosphere.

In particular, as winning over centrist voters has become a top priority, there is a growing belief that it is urgent for Yoon to take responsibility for the martial law incident and step down himself to minimize negative impacts on the presidential election.

However, there is also considerable opposition. Among some senior lawmakers who led the anti-impeachment sentiment, there are voices saying that Yoon's departure is premature, raising the need to "adjust the pace." A People Power Party official expressed concern, saying, "Right now, consolidating our support base is the most important thing. While it is true that the party needs change and renewal, if we push too hard for Yoon's departure, it could provoke backlash from existing supporters and trigger division."

In fact, it is reported that Yoon himself has no intention of leaving the party, and with candidate Kim Moonsoo opposing impeachment, some within the party believe that forcibly expelling Yoon could risk alienating the party's core supporters. A key former ruling party official said, "Some are mentioning the period around May 18, when the first presidential TV debate is scheduled, as a possible timing for Yoon's departure, but the likelihood of it actually happening is low," adding, "Even if it does happen, it will proceed slowly over time."

The presidential office is maintaining silence regarding questions about Yoon's departure from the party. Effectively in a "shutdown" state, having lost its authority and function, the office has stated that it cannot speak for Yoon's position. A senior official said, "It has been a long time since we have been able to reach Yoon," and added, "I understand that the issue of his departure is being handled by the party."