SEOUL: South Korea's ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol left his conservative party on Saturday as it gears up for snap elections triggered by his impeachment over a bid to impose martial law. The People Power Party (PPP) had been under pressure to expel Yoon ahead of the June 3 election, as polls showed it trailing the main opposition party.
"I am leaving the People Power Party today," Yoon, who is standing trial on criminal charges of insurrection, wrote on Facebook. He urged voters to support his former Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo, the PPP's presidential candidate. On Saturday, Yoon said the upcoming snap election is the "last chance to prevent totalitarian dictatorship and protect liberal democracy and the rule of law." But the Democratic Party called Yoon "shameless" for invoking "the very liberal democracy he himself destroyed." PPP candidate Kim said he respects Yoon's exit and pledged to "strive to make our party more united and more innovative." — AFP
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