As PPP goes into election mode, Yoon still has the party’s ear

The presidential residence in Seoul’s Hannam neighborhood on April 10, 2025. (Yonhap)

Even after his official removal from office last week, Yoon has remained at the presidential residence, where he continues to openly insert himself into politics by consorting with politicians and others.

Yoon appears to be making an effort to influence the People Power Party (PPP) primary ahead of the snap presidential election and to rally his support base in order to buy himself more room to maneuver ahead of his upcoming trial on insurrection charges.

The disgraced ex-president acting like a self-appointed kingmaker rather than laying low or remaining silent has ruffled feathers within the PPP, with some saying that he is making an already difficult election all that much harder.

On Thursday, North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo announced his intention to run in the PPP primary. The day before, Lee referred to his visit with Yoon at his residence, saying, “He [Yoon] told me, ‘If you become president, the most important thing to consider when selecting your people is loyalty.’ He seems to feel a deep sense of betrayal from his inner circle.”

Yoon’s comments seem to be a direct stab at former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who declared his presidential bid on the same day. In effect, Yoon has directed his supporters to completely renounce Han and block him from becoming the party’s presidential candidate. Kim also revealed that Yoon said he would “put all [his] efforts into ensuring that our party wins the election to protect our free democracy.”

Star Korean history lecturer and far-right YouTuber Jeon Han-gil announced on his official website that he met with Yoon and his close ally PPP lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun the day before. A photograph that Jeon took with Yoon at the presidential residence’s garden was uploaded to Jeon’s official website, “Jeon Han-gil News.” Jeon also relayed Yoon’s words, stating that the former president claimed, “I am not worried about me — I do not mind facing imprisonment or death. But I remain concerned about our people, our youth,” arguing that Yoon was only worried about “the public and the country.” This message seems to be intended for Yoon’s supporters, who vehemently opposed his impeachment.

Even the pro-Yoon wing of the PPP is expressing worries over Yoon’s behavior. One such lawmaker told the Hankyoreh, “How helpful will the words of an impeached president be to the party? Remaining silent on the upcoming election is the only way for both the party and Yoon to survive.”

A first-time lawmaker hailing from the country’s traditionally conservative southeastern region also stated, “No matter how rankled and upset Yoon is, this is not the time to be sending out messages. If he wishes for the conservative party to win and nab the opportunity to rebuild itself, he should refrain from making further comments.”

However, those vying for the PPP nomination are ignoring these concerns and enabling Yoon to speak through them. The party’s preliminary primary relies completely on the results of public opinion polls, but the second and last primaries are decided on by in-party voting (50%) and public opinion polls (50%). As such, candidates deem it important to win over the hearts of Yoon supporters, who may be a minority but remain strongly united.

PPP lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who declared her presidential bid on Friday, is one candidate who is placing her bets on the support of loyal Yoon followers. With rumors circulating within the party that Yoon suggested that Na run for president on April 5, the day after his ouster, many are talking about how Na is Yoon’s pick for this presidential race.

Many believe that acting President Han Duck-soo’s nomination of Lee Wan-kyu, Yoon’s friend of 46 years who is currently under investigation for being an accomplice in Yoon’s insurrection attempt, as Constitutional Court justice was influenced heavily by Yoon.

A second-time PPP lawmaker from the southeastern region expressed their frustration at this situation, bemoaning, “Why would Han choose someone who is currently under investigation for insurrection as a judge of the Constitutional Court? The only explanation is that Yoon was behind this decision.”

Yoon’s camp announced in the afternoon that the presidential couple would leave the Hannam residence at 5 pm on Friday to move to their private home in Seoul’s Seocho District.