[Comprehensive] Lee Nak-yeon Raises 'MB·Park Pardon Theory'... Opposition Criticizes "Not a Responsible Ruling Party Image" Fiercely

Lee Nak-yeon "Will Recommend Pardons for Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye at the Appropriate Time"
Ruling Party, Amid Controversy, "Pardons for Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye Require Their Reflection... Respect Party Members' Opinions"
Opposition, "No Joking About Pardons," "Behave Properly" Flood of Criticism

On the 3rd, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, responded to questions regarding the pardons of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye after concluding a closed highest council meeting at his office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid ongoing conflicts within the ruling party over the pardon debate for former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, the opposition party harshly criticized on the 3rd, saying, "You should not play games with pardons." Earlier, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who had mentioned the necessity of pardoning the two former presidents, stated on the same day, "I was expressing my sincere wish to achieve national unity."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said in a phone interview with Yonhap News on the same day, "What does it mean to tell someone who claims innocence and is undergoing a politically charged trial to reflect? It makes no sense," and criticized, "You should not play games with pardons." He further pointed at Lee, who raised the pardon issue, saying, "If you cannot properly handle even this, you are not qualified to be the party leader."

Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, expressed in a verbal comment that day, "Is it really normal for the Democratic Party to treat the pardon issue of former presidents as lightly as a feather?" and condemned, "The farce related to pardons is not the behavior of a responsible ruling party. It raises doubts about where the Democratic Party’s center of gravity really lies."

Jang Je-won, a member of the same party, also held Lee accountable. On his Facebook, Jang said, "This is not a joke, but the feather-light words and actions of Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the ruling party, are embarrassing," and raised his voice, "Less than 48 hours after bringing up the pardon issue for former presidents, he retracts his words, leaving a feeling of being mocked."

He claimed, "If the ruling party leader raised the pardon issue without consulting the Blue House, it was an utterly irresponsible act; if he did so with consultation but failed to reconcile differences within the party, it shows that not only Lee but also President Moon Jae-in have fallen into a lame-duck situation." Finally, he emphasized to Lee, "I hope you will conduct yourself like a leader of the ruling party."

Park Dae-chul, a pro-Park Geun-hye (친박, Chinbak) faction member of the People Power Party, harshly criticized the Democratic Party’s stance on the pardon debate as "cowardly and cruel." In a post on Facebook, he said, "The ruling party has presented a stance that seems ambiguous, whether it is giving up or postponing," and argued, "They irresponsibly shift the burden onto the two who are suffering hardships in prison by absurdly attaching a 'reflection' condition."

Park said, "What kind of behavior is this, lifting and dropping the issue? Is harsh punishment not enough?" and added, "Pardons are granted by the sitting president, not former presidents. It is a matter of self-resolution that the Moon Jae-in administration, the subject of political retaliation, must solve."

He continued, "Ultimately, it is President Moon’s responsibility and task. The later it is delayed, the more the political burden will only increase," urging, "President Moon should make a decision before it gets any later."

On the 3rd, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving his office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building after concluding a closed highest council meeting regarding the pardons of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the other hand, opposition presidential candidates responded positively to the pardon debate. Yoo Seung-min, a former member of the Future United Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) who had supported the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, said, "I fully agree with and welcome Lee’s proposal for pardoning former presidents," and argued, "The pardons of the two former presidents are necessary for national unity."

Won Hee-ryong, governor of Jeju Province, also expressed, "I interpret this as a sign of moving away from divisive governance and focusing on unity from the new year. I welcome it."

Earlier, Lee had stated in a New Year interview with Yonhap News on the 1st, "I will recommend to President Moon Jae-in the pardoning of the two former presidents at an appropriate time."

Following internal backlash, the Democratic Party convened a supreme council meeting chaired by Lee on the 3rd, announcing a stance that "the pardon issue requires public consensus and reflection by the parties involved, and we will respect the will of the people and party members going forward."

Choi In-ho, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at the National Assembly that afternoon, "I understood that Lee’s (pardon) remarks at today’s supreme council meeting stemmed from a sincere desire for national unity," and added, "We decided to respect the will of the people and party members going forward." He further said, "The supreme council agreed to uphold the spirit of the Candlelight Movement and to promote reform and unity together."

After the supreme council meeting, Lee told reporters that he raised the pardon issue because "Overcoming the national crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and restoring the economy is an urgent priority. I believe that the united strength of the people is necessary to solve this," and added, "Politics must also evolve beyond factionalism and confrontational politics to achieve national unity. I was expressing such sincere intentions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.