"Playing Around on All Sides?" Opposition Flared... Demands Moon's Decision

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Regarding the voices from the ruling party that 'reflection and apology' are necessary conditions for pardoning former presidents, the opposition party raised their voices, saying, "Are you playing games with pardons?" and insisted that President Moon Jae-in must make a decisive decision on the pardon. While opposition presidential candidates acknowledge the necessity of pardons, they also express caution against the ruling party using it as an 'election card.'

On the morning of the 4th, at a National Assembly emergency committee meeting, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "A pardon is possible through President Moon's political decision," adding, "Whether the pardon is used politically or played with, it should not be done." He implied that it is possible if President Moon makes a decision even without 'reflection and apology.'

Floor leader Joo said, "In cases where both parties claim to be 'wronged' in political trials, demanding an apology or reflection means not granting a pardon," and added, "We expect President Moon's decision, and Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, must take at least minimal responsibility for his words."

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman, also told reporters right after the meeting, "If the president decides that a pardon should be granted, it can be done anytime," adding, "This is not a matter for others to talk about this or that." He said, "Considering various things about Leader Lee so far, I think there was prior communication with the president," and "Otherwise, I don't think this issue suddenly surfaced out of nowhere."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader, are attending the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. The People Power Party changed the background banner in the meeting room to "Beyond the Recovery of Daily Life, Toward a Better Tomorrow!" Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Senior members of the People Power Party criticized Leader Lee. Rep. Kim Ki-hyun said, "He said he would propose it to the president, but now he's slowly backing out, and the issue is quietly disappearing like a happening," criticizing, "Did he treat former presidents like toys? How can the ruling party leader say such irresponsible things at the beginning of the year?" Rep. Jang Je-won pointed out, "The public knows well that Leader Lee, who is anxious about watching the pro-Moon faction, is not a brave politician who would express his conviction about the pardon right without prior communication with the president," and said, "(The president) should not cowardly hide behind."

Earlier, opposition presidential candidates had all expressed positive views on pardons, but as the atmosphere changed, they seem to be taking a cautious stance, questioning whether it was an 'election gesture.' Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, said to reporters after the highest committee meeting that morning, "A pardon should be for national unity, and it is not desirable to use it for election purposes," adding, "If the purpose is national unity, it should be properly implemented so that sincerity can be conveyed."

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