[Comprehensive] On the 'Park Pardon Debate'... "The verdict ink is not even dry" vs "Moon must make a decision" - Ruling Party and Opposition Disagree

With "Importance of Self-Reflection by Parties," "National Consensus Must Be Achieved"
Opposition: "President Must Make a Decision," "No More Divisive Leadership"

Former President Park Geun-hye, who was prosecuted on charges including state power abuse and the illicit payment of special activity funds from the National Intelligence Service, had her 20-year prison sentence finalized on the 14th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Discussions about pardoning former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak are reigniting in the political arena. This follows the final sentencing of former President Park Geun-hye, who was tried on charges including state affairs manipulation. The Democratic Party of Korea has demanded that "former presidents must first offer a public apology," while opposition parties have urged President Moon Jae-in to make a decisive pardon.

On the 14th, when former President Park's final sentence was confirmed, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, told reporters, "I hope this ruling becomes an opportunity to firmly establish the great spirit of the Candlelight Revolution and advance democracy in the Republic of Korea."

Earlier, on the 1st, in an interview with 'Yonhap News,' Lee initially proposed the idea of recommending pardons for the two former presidents to President Moon, saying, "I will suggest pardons for the two former presidents at an appropriate time." However, facing strong opposition within his party, he stepped back, emphasizing that "the repentance of the individuals involved must be a prerequisite."

On this day as well, Lee reiterated his stance that "a sincere apology must precede any pardon." He explained, "I believe former President Park should sincerely apologize to the people, considering the deep wounds of the nation. I have said that I would recommend a pardon to President Moon at an appropriate time, and the party has concluded that public sympathy and the repentance of the individuals involved are important."

Fellow party member Woo Sang-ho also stated on his Facebook page that "discussing a pardon before the ink on the verdict has even dried is undesirable."

Woo emphasized, "My conviction remains unchanged that I oppose any pardon being pursued until there is national consensus based on sincere reflection and apology."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, voices from the opposition called for President Moon to make a decisive pardon.

On the same day, former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min wrote on Facebook, "When Lee Nak-yeon mentioned pardoning former presidents, I welcomed it wholeheartedly and hoped it was sincere. Now is the time to move forward toward national unity and the future." He added, "President Moon should consider the meaning of the constitution granting the president the extraordinary judicial power of pardon."

He continued, "Do not use the excuse of public opinion or think about exploiting it for elections. This is a matter for the president to decide solely with national unity, the dignity of the country, and the future in mind."

Kim Ki-hyun, also from the People Power Party, urged President Moon on Facebook, saying, "Although there are opinions opposing the pardon, compared to the cases of former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, who were imprisoned for about two years due to military rebellion and slush fund incidents, this sentence seems excessive." He added, "We can no longer tolerate divisive leadership that tears the people apart. Leadership for unity is desperately needed."

Kang Min-seok, Blue House spokesperson, is briefing at the Blue House Chunuchu-gwan on the 14th regarding the finalization of the sentence of former President Park Geun-hye. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice No Tae-ak) upheld the lower court's ruling sentencing former President Park to 20 years in prison and a fine of 18 billion won in her final appeal trial on charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

With this, former President Park will serve a total of 22 years in prison, adding the already confirmed 2-year sentence for interference in the Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) nomination process.

As conflicts between ruling and opposition parties over pardoning the former president intensify, the Blue House issued a statement on the 14th expressing that "such an incident must never happen again."

Kang Min-seok, Blue House spokesperson, said at a briefing at the Blue House Chuncheon Hall, "The Candlelight Revolution by the people, the parliamentary impeachment, and the judicial ruling have brought the state affairs manipulation case to a close. We must take the unfortunate event of a former president serving time as a historical lesson to ensure that such a thing never happens again."

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