South Korea’s impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol announced Saturday that he is resigning from the ruling People Power Party (PPP), a dramatic move aimed at reviving the faltering presidential campaign of conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo.

The announcement, delivered via a Facebook post, comes just days ahead of the country’s snap presidential election on June 3. The election was triggered by Yoon’s imposition of martial law last December and his subsequent impeachment — a constitutional crisis that has deeply divided public opinion and tarnished the ruling party’s image.

“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.”

His call for unity arrives as Kim struggles in national polls. A Gallup Korea survey released Friday showed Kim trailing significantly, with 29% support compared to 51% for opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung.

Yoon’s exit comes after weeks of internal pressure from PPP lawmakers, who feared his continued involvement was costing the party support among centrists and undecided voters. His controversial political comeback had dominated media coverage and distracted from the party’s core message, complicating Kim’s bid to unify the conservative base.

Lee and Kim are set to face off in their first televised debate on Sunday, a critical moment in a race defined by public backlash, political instability, and the future direction of South Korean democracy.