Hong Jun-pyo Urges Moon for Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye Pardons, Warning "It Will Be a Burden"

End of Term Lame Duck Criticism: "Focus Solely on National Unity"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo urged President Moon Jae-in to pardon former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, who are currently incarcerated.

On the morning of the 17th, Hong posted on Facebook addressing President Moon, saying, "I hope you pardon the two former presidents, who are paying for their own karma, and finally, though late, carry out a government of reconciliation and harmony."

Former President Park has been serving a 20-year prison sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court on January 14. Including an additional confirmed 2-year sentence for interference in Saenuri Party nominations, she must serve a total of 22 years.

Former President Lee was also sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Supreme Court last October for embezzling hundreds of billions of won from the auto parts company DAS.

Hong pointed out the reason President Moon should pursue a government of harmony along with pardoning the former presidents, stating, "Power is not eternal, like an hourglass that empties over time," and "The more you struggle to prevent a lame-duck period, the deeper power sinks into a quagmire."

He then advised, "Accept it as providence and focus solely on concluding with a government of national unity."

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