(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on April 22)

Folly of ‘Yoon Again’
Yoon must stop divisive actions; politicians must remain prudent

How does it sound when someone suggests that a recently impeached president might mastermind the creation of a new political party — one even named after him?

At first glance, it seems absurd, if not downright surreal, as it indicates that a leader ousted from power is trying to steer the political landscape from behind the scenes, clinging to influence to advance the causes he couldn’t achieve while in office.

Surprisingly, however, such a plan was indeed taking shape — until the organizers backed off abruptly, believing the timing wasn’t right.

Last week, a group of five lawyers stood at the center of controversy with plans to hold a press conference announcing the formation of a new conservative party, tentatively named “Yoon Again.” They argued that a fresh political force was needed to respond to the growing demand among millennials and Generation Z, many of whom had rallied to support President Yoon Suk Yeol during his impeachment trial. All five lawyers were part of Yoon’s legal defense team.

But just four hours before the event, the group canceled the announcement, realizing the potential backlash it could cause within the conservative bloc ahead of the June 3 presidential election.

Kim Kye-ri, one of the five lawyers, later shared on social media that the idea had emerged from a series of meetings between Yoon’s legal team and conservative civic activists in the aftermath of the impeachment. According to her, these activists urged the creation of a bold new party to preserve Yoon’s legacy and to better advocate for the younger generation.

They viewed the passionate, monthslong protests in support of Yoon as a sign that young conservative voters were hungry for a political movement that truly represented them — one that they felt the ruling People Power Party (PPP) had failed to deliver.

Kim said the initiative reflected widespread frustration and disappointment among conservative supporters with the current leadership. “President Yoon asked us to hold off for now, saying this is a time for unity,” she added, suggesting Yoon is at least aware of, if not quietly aligned with, the effort.

If Kim’s claim is true, Yoon is right — now is the time for unity. With just over 40 days left before the June 3 presidential election, launching a new political party would only deepen divisions and create chaos among conservatives.

But Yoon is also wrong — especially about returning to politics so soon. This is a moment for reflection, not resurgence. Rather than entertaining a political comeback, he should take a good hard look at what went wrong during his presidency. The proposal to create a “Yoon Again” party is not only inappropriate — it borders on the absurd.

Yoon was impeached, and not long ago. His presidency was cut short following his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, a move that the Constitutional Court deemed a violation of the Constitution. He is now standing trial for alleged breaches of criminal law.

As a former prosecutor, Yoon may feel that the top court’s ruling was unjust, especially citing procedural flaws during the impeachment process. Yet, as the philosopher Socrates once said, even a bad law is still a law. Yoon must respect the decision, regardless of his personal opinion.

As a former president — and one who ran in the previous presidential election under the People Power Party (PPP) banner — Yoon has a responsibility to help the party recover and regroup. His victory in the 2022 presidential election would not have been possible without the PPP’s full support and resources. He owes a great deal to the party that backed him.

Now, the PPP is in disarray, reeling from the aftermath of his impeachment. Yoon and the PPP are intertwined in both success and failure. Pushing ahead with a new party would only inflict further damage, possibly beyond repair.

Still, despite how ill-conceived the “Yoon Again” project may be, it shines a light on something politicians — on both sides of the aisle — should not ignore: voter frustration.

Many citizens, particularly younger voters, feel alienated and disillusioned by the current political landscape. They no longer see the existing parties as effective vehicles for their hopes and concerns. The very fact that a movement like this gained traction — even briefly — signals a deeper public yearning for political renewal and authentic representation.

The idea of a “Yoon Again” party may be absurd. But the message it sends is anything but meaningless. Politicians would do well to listen — because what the voters are truly asking for is change.
(END)