South Korea’s impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol announced on Saturday that he is quitting the ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP), in a move aimed at shoring up support for the party’s embattled presidential candidate, Kim Moon-soo.

The announcement, made via a Facebook post, comes just days before the country’s snap presidential election on 3 June. The vote was triggered by Yoon’s controversial imposition of martial law in December and subsequent impeachment — actions that have polarised public opinion and damaged the PPP’s electoral prospects.

“I am leaving the People Power Party to fulfil my responsibility to protect the free Republic of Korea,” Yoon wrote. “Please lend your support to Kim Moon-soo.”

The appeal comes as Kim trails significantly in national polls. A Gallup Korea survey released on Friday shows Kim with just 29% support, far behind liberal Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, who commands 51%.

Yoon’s departure follows mounting pressure from PPP lawmakers, who feared his continued association with the party was alienating moderate and undecided voters. His dramatic return to politics and subsequent impeachment had overshadowed the PPP’s campaign, complicating efforts to consolidate the conservative vote.

The election’s frontrunners, Lee and Kim, are scheduled to go head-to-head in their first televised debate on Sunday. 

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