PPP hopefuls urge ousted president to leave party amid 'Yoon again' bloc talks

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol greets supporters at the main gate before departing from the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, April 11. Joint Press Corps

Calls are growing within the People Power Party (PPP) for former President Yoon Suk Yeol to leave the party, with several presidential hopefuls openly urging him to step aside amid speculation over the formation of a pro-Yoon political group.

The controversy escalated after Yoon’s legal team briefly advocated for creating a new political bloc called "Yoon Again," only to suddenly put the plan on hold.

The move came as Yoon continued to denounce the Constitutional Court’s impeachment ruling and issued a string of messages aimed at his supporters.

Five of Yoon’s defense lawyers signaled plans to launch a new political party under the slogan "Yoon again," popularized by supporters calling for his return to power after impeachment.

The phrase has gained momentum since Yoon was removed from office by a Constitutional Court ruling on April 4.

Bae Eui-chul, one of Yoon’s attorneys, initially revealed plans for a press conference on Friday to formally introduce the party. However, just a few hours later, he unexpectedly postponed the event, citing the need to reassess the timing.

Bae said the decision was made amid mounting pressure from the PPP and growing speculation and misinformation surrounding the announcement.

However, the lawyer signaled that future political action is still a possibility.

"We will continue discussions to unite the conservative camp and seek the best path to victory," Bae said.

Presidential hopefuls of the conservative People Power Party raise their fists during the first primary vision presentation for the 21st presidential election at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

The development sparked strong backlash within the PPP, with some members condemning the attempted formation of a new party.

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, a presidential contender, publicly called on Yoon to leave the party, warning that continued association with the impeached former leader could jeopardize the party’s electoral prospects.

"If this continues, the presidential race is lost," Ahn wrote on Facebook. "A party that protects a disgraced former president will never gain the public’s trust."

Ahn’s remarks reflect growing concerns among presidential hopefuls courting moderate voters, who fear continued ties to Yoon could alienate centrist voters.

They argue that broadening the party’s appeal beyond its conservative base will be nearly impossible without a decisive break from the former president.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok echoed the sentiment, saying, "It’s time to forget about Yoon."

Former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, also in the presidential race, recalled that during his time as party leader, he instructed the ethics committee to expel Yoon while he was still in office.

However, not all within the PPP support severing ties with Yoon. Presidential hopefuls aligned with the so-called "anti-impeachment bloc" have either defended Yoon or remained silent on the issue.

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, a senior party figure and presidential contender, pushed back against calls for Yoon’s expulsion.

"Yoon played a key role in bringing about a change in government under the PPP’s name," Hong said. "While he may have misgoverned and was ultimately impeached, continuing to attack someone who is already politically finished is neither appropriate nor dignified."

Rep. Na Kyung-won also criticized repeated mentions of Yoon during the primary, responding to Ahn’s remarks by saying, "Dragging the former president into the race like this is inappropriate."