Summary: Former South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn addressed CPAC in Texas on March 27, 2026, calling on the Trump administration and U.S. Congress to push for the release of impeached and imprisoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol. He also urged U.S. intervention over alleged Chinese Communist Party interference in South Korean elections and called for sanctions against Korean officials he accused of election fraud.

Kerry Picket, The Washington Times, March 27, 2026

Standing Ovation at CPAC Former South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn received a standing ovation from activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference after he called on the Trump administration and Congress to push for the release of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Resolution Calling for Yoon's Release "I propose that we adopt the following resolution โ€” number one, adoption of a resolution calling for the release of President Yoon Suk Yeol," said Hwang, who launched the conservative Freedom and Innovation Party, at the Friday gathering.

Accusing Anti-State Forces and the CCP "We call for the adoption of a U.S. congressional resolution urging the immediate release of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been impeached and detained through the actions of anti-state forces and the CCP," he said.

Yoon Sentenced to Life in Prison A South Korean court in February sentenced Yoon โ€” who attempted to impose martial law upon South Korea in December 2024 โ€” to life imprisonment for insurrection.

Impeachment, Arrest, and Dismissal Yoon was previously impeached, arrested, and dismissed as president following his brief imposition of martial law, which set off massive protests calling for his ouster.

Yoon's Own Defense Yoon insisted he had no intention of placing the country under military rule for an extended period, saying his decree was meant only to inform the public of the danger posed by the liberal-controlled parliament blocking his agenda.

Prosecution's Case Prosecutors, however, argued that Yoon's decree was an attempt to bolster and prolong his rule, and charged him with rebellion, abuse of power, and other criminal offenses.

Calling for Cyber and Election Intervention Hwang also called for "intervention regarding cyber system hacking and election systems," urging the Trump administration to act under an expanded interpretation of the 2023 ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty extended into cyberspace.

CCP Election Interference Framed as Alliance Threat "We regard the CCP's interference in South Korea's elections as a direct attack against the ROK-U.S. alliance and call for immediate intervention by the Trump administration," he said.

Sanctions Demands Citing Brazil and Venezuela Hwang additionally called for direct sanctions against nations involved in election fraud, citing Brazil and Venezuela as precedents, and demanded strong sanctions โ€” including asset freezes โ€” against South Korean Supreme Court justices and National Election Commission officials he accused of election fraud.

Hwang's Claims on Shared Conclusions Hwang later told The Washington Times that both the White House, through its own investigation, and Korean civic organizations had independently reached the same conclusion: that election fraud had occurred in both countries.

No Direct Trump Contact, but Back-Channel Communication Hwang confirmed he has not been in direct communication with President Trump on the matter, but noted that Gatestone Institute Senior Fellow Gordon Chang has spoken about it with the White House "several times."

U.S. Election Monitor's Korea Visit He also noted that John Mills โ€” currently serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the State Department โ€” had previously visited South Korea as part of an international election monitoring team and concluded that election fraud had taken place.

White House Response A White House official told The Washington Times: "While we take no position on this South Korean judicial matter, we remain concerned about reports of politically-motivated targeting in South Korea, particularly against religious figures or U.S. companies."

Source Kerry Picket, The Washington Times, March 27, 2026 https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/mar/27/cpac-ex-south-korean-prime-minister-urges-white-house-support-release/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=twtnl_x