South Korea’s former president Yoon quits the conservative party because his campaign is behind the liberal leader

Yoon Suk Yeol, the deposed former president of South Korea, announced on Facebook on Saturday that he was quitting the conservative People Power Party (PPP).

In the polls leading up to the June 3 snap election, the PPP’s presidential nominee is far behind Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party.

A Gallup Korea poll published on Friday found that 51% of respondents favored frontrunner Lee, while 29% favored PPP presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo.

Party members had urged for Yoon to quit the party in an attempt to garner more support from moderate voters who disapprove of his actions. Yoon’s unexpected martial law in December and subsequent impeachment led to the quick presidential election.

“I’m quitting the People Power Party in order to carry out my duty of defending the Republic of Korea… “Please support Kim Moon-soo,” Yoon wrote in his article, alluding to the official name of South Korea.

On Sunday, candidates Lee and Kim will engage each other in their first televised debate.