Ruling party presidential aspirant urges ex-President Yoon to leave party

Rep. Ahn Cheol-woo of the People Power Party announces his campaign pledges for the presidential election during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, April 13. Yonhap

A presidential hopeful from the People Power Party (PPP), Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, on Friday urged former President Yoon Suk Yeol to leave the party, saying his departure is essential for the party to reform and win the upcoming presidential election.

Ahn is the first contender in the conservative party to openly demand the former president's exit ahead of the June 3 election, which was triggered by Yoon's ouster over his failed martial law bid last December.

"Yoon's departure would be the starting point for the party, which bears joint political responsibility, to reorganize," Ahn wrote on Facebook. "It is time for him to make a decision."

Ahn said that leaving the party is the least the former president can do to show accountability to both the public and the party, noting the party cannot hope to win the upcoming race should it continue to defend Yoon.

"Only if Yoon leaves can the PPP shift the narrative from the political retribution to ushering in a new era," Ahn said. "His departure is inevitable for the party's reform victory in the presidential election."

Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and Yoon's rival in the 2022 election, is currently leading PPP candidates by double-digit margins in recent polls.