Democratic Party Slams Yoon Seokyeol's Departure from People Power Party: "Truly Shameless"

"Kim Moonsoo Unable to Shed Label of 'Far-Right Insurrection Candidate'"
To Yoon: "Not 'Serving in White Uniform,' But Should Be Wearing Prison Uniform"

On May 17, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea unanimously criticized former President Yoon Seokyeol's voluntary departure from the People Power Party, expressing their condemnation in unison through social media platforms such as Facebook.

Former President Yoon Seokyeol, who was indicted on charges including being the ringleader of the December 12 emergency martial law incident, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after the morning session of the third trial held on the 12th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Lee Haesik, chief of staff for Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung, stated, "There is not a single word of apology to the people, not even the slightest reflection on why he should leave the party. It is so infuriating that it leaves one at a loss for words and makes you want to curse."

Kim Yongmin, senior deputy floor leader for policy, commented, "It would be normal for him to be expelled," adding, "The People Power Party is still defending the insurrection." Kim Minseok, standing co-chair of the Emergency Election Countermeasures Committee, remarked, "Is the next step for the People Power Party to kneel and beg in tears?"

Jeon Hyunhee, co-chair of the election committee, also criticized, "Yoon Seokyeol, until the very end, failed to apologize for the insurrection and instead uttered nonsense about protecting the freedom and sovereignty of the Republic of Korea, which he himself trampled upon," calling it "truly shameless."

Representative Park Jiwoon stated on his social media account that day, "Yoon Seokyeol's resignation statement is essentially an inauguration speech for Kim Moonsoo as campaign chair of the People Power Party," and added, "If a candidate who cannot sever ties with the ringleader of the insurrection is elected, it is an expression of a sinister intent to return to a series of insurrections, and even if they lose the election, they intend to remain as remnants of the insurrection."

He further pointed out, "Rather than Yoon Seokyeol leaving the party, he should be leaving the Republic of Korea, or even the planet."

Representative Park Beomgye criticized on Facebook, "There is no reflection whatsoever on the insurrection?this is nothing but a fake resignation for election purposes." Representative Park Joomin directly stated, "A ringleader of insurrection who does not even deserve to speak of liberal democracy now has only one place left to go: prison."

Representative Ahn Kyubaek, referring to former President Yoon's statement about 'serving in a white uniform' (Baekuijonggun), called it "delusional self-glorification," and pointed out, "Yoon Seokyeol, the ringleader of the insurrection, is not someone who should be wearing a white uniform, but rather a prison uniform."