"Leaving the Party Is Yoon's Decision"... When Will the People Power Party Part Ways With Yoon? [The Remark That Shook the Presidential Race]

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The People Power Party is experiencing internal strife over the issue of former President Yoon Sukyeol's departure from the party, even as the official campaign period for the 21st presidential election has begun.

On May 15, Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, commented on former President Yoon's potential departure from the party, stating, "It is a matter for former President Yoon to decide," and added, "It is not appropriate for the presidential candidate to tell him to leave or not to leave the party." This message implies that the party should not abruptly cut ties with former President Yoon, considering his base of supporters. In contrast to the presidential candidate's reserved stance regarding the relationship with former President Yoon, Kim Yongtae, the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee Chairman, told reporters on the same day, "I will meet with the President as soon as possible and ask him to voluntarily leave the party for the sake of the party and victory in the presidential election." While voices within the party calling for a voluntary departure are growing louder, former President Yoon's side has effectively rejected this by remaining silent.

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is speaking at the rally defending the judiciary and condemning the Democratic Party held in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on May 15, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Some observers believe that Kim Moonsoo is taking a reserved position toward former President Yoon in order to retain the existing support base, while Kim Yongtae is urging a decisive move to expand support among centrist voters, thus dividing their roles. The problem is that the already tense atmosphere within the party could become even more divided over this issue. As the People Power Party becomes mired in the "departure" controversy, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the party to unite the conservative base and reverse its approval ratings.

The Democratic Party is criticizing the situation, labeling it a "fake departure show." Park Kyungmi, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "The People Power Party's fake departure show is nothing more than a deception orchestrated by insurrectionist forces," and pointed out, "Yoon Sukyeol, Kim Moonsoo, and pro-Yoon members of the People Power Party are essentially one and the same."

Will the People Power Party truly break away from former President Yoon? If so, when will it happen?

In the past, the Liberty Korea Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, also experienced a split with former President Park Geunhye. However, the timing was not during the presidential election, but long after it had passed. At the time, Hong Joonpyo, the Liberty Korea Party's presidential candidate, criticized former President Park's administration, saying, "I thought I was choosing Chunhyang, but it turned out to be Hyangdan." However, as the election campaign intensified, he refrained from speaking about expulsion, stating, "She is already politically finished, and stabbing her in the back again is not the right thing to do." Ultimately, former President Park's expulsion from the party only took place six months after the presidential election had ended.