Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday called on conservatives to rally behind People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo in the upcoming early presidential election.
The disgraced former leader, who threw the country into political turmoil with his abrupt declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 that led to his ouster, wrote, “Our opponents are formidable. But if we trust one another and stay united, they cannot defeat us.”
Yoon’s remarks followed a dramatic conclusion to days of internal turmoil within the conservative People Power Party over its presidential nominee. Although former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo had already secured victory in the party’s primary, People Power Party leadership pushed to replace him with former Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo, who had only joined the party Saturday. That effort was ultimately rejected in a party-wide vote that reaffirmed Kim as the official standard bearer for the election.
Following the result, Han on Sunday publicly pledged his support for Kim’s candidacy.
Yoon’s message called on party members and conservative voters to move past recent turbulence.
“The mission for liberal democracy and national prosperity that Han declared at the time of his candidacy must now continue with candidate Kim Moon-soo. I trust that Han will stand with us to the very end,” Yoon said.
He added, “I will walk this path to defend our liberal democracy with you.”
Yoon is scheduled to appear in court Monday for the third hearing in his ongoing trial, where he faces charges of insurrection.
koreadherald@heradcorp.com
