Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Yoon continues to wield influence on party, election
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol raises his fist as he is surrounded by supporters gathered near the presidential residence in Seoul, Friday. Yoon left the residence after his five-year term was cut short by impeachment. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
Ousted leader leaves presidential office
Impeachment has ended the three-year presidency of Yoon Suk Yeol ― but not his political ambition ― as he continues to meet conservative political figures and send indirect messages targeting his supporters.
Criticism and concerns are rising that the former president, who left the presidential residence on Friday evening to return to his civilian life, is expected to continue to interfere in the upcoming snap election ― by playing the role of a “regent” instead of remaining low-profile after his martial law declaration pitched the country into political turmoil.
"I will find a new path for the country and the people as a citizen," Yoon said through his lawyer as he left the residence. "I will do everything in my power to build the free and prosperous Korea that I and many people have dreamed of together."
He then expressed his gratitude for those who had supported him during his political crisis, initiated by his decision to impose a martial law decree, which eventually led to his ouster. Before heading to his private home in southern Seoul, he got off the car and shook hands with and even hugged some of the supporters gathered there to meet him.
He also thanked his former staff, including former chief of staff Chung Jin-suk, telling them that he was "sorry" that he could not finish what was supposed to be a five-year term.
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol embraces a young supporter as he leaves the presidential residence in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
In the days that followed the Constitutional Court’s ruling that removed him from office, Yoon met several PPP members. They included the party's interim leader Rep. Kwon Young-se, floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong and Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, as well as Rep. Na Kyung-won and North Gyeongsang Province Gov. Lee Cheol-woo, who have both announced their bid for the presidency.
He even met Jeon Han-gil, a history instructor-turned-YouTuber who led pro-Yoon rallies before the former president's ouster.
Yoon also spoke on the phone with Kim Moon-soo, who served as his labor minister, on the day Kim announced his resignation to join the presidential race.
Few believe that Yoon will stop these efforts after leaving the presidential residence.
There are signs he will continue to wield his influence over the future of the People Power Party (PPP), including the primary for determining its presidential candidate, as he told one of his loyalists that he will try his best to “help our party win” in the upcoming presidential race.
However, while some PPP members seek Yoon's influence, many others also worry that these activities by the impeached, disgraced leader could destroy any remaining chance for the conservative party to win the June 3 election.
For the PPP, Yoon's activity would be detrimental, said Lee Jun-han, a politics professor at Incheon National University.
“They [potential presidential contenders] would want to meet Yoon because they think it would boost their chances of winning the primary. But eventually, its candidate will have to win the election, which will be difficult without enough support from moderates,” Lee told The Korea Times.
Some Yoon supporters are even calling for him to run again, even though it is legally impossible and polls show that his influence is limited to a small portion of voters nationwide.
According to a joint survey released Thursday by four pollsters, only 28 percent of the respondents said they did not agree with the Constitutional Court verdict that ousted Yoon.
Half of the respondents said the PPP should expel Yoon from the party and cut ties with him, while 16 percent said it should continue to support him.
In its primary, the PPP plans to narrow the number of contenders to four, which will be determined based on the result of its surveys in which only those who identify themselves as conservative can participate. The surveys are scheduled to be conducted between April 21 and 22.
After that, the contenders will face off in a television debate on April 26 before a vote by party members (50 percent) and another general public poll (50 percent) between April 27 and 28. If one candidate secures 50 percent of support, he or she will become the nominee the next day; otherwise, the top two will have to face off again. The process will be complete by May 3.