Concerns within People Power Party over Pardon Proposal for Former Presidents Lee and Park, Fearing a 'Return to Old Korea Party'

Controversy Over Support and Opposition Between Senior and First-Term Lawmakers Continues Daily
Joo Ho-young: "No Party-Level Request for Presidential Authority" Concludes for Now

Former President Lee Myung-bak [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Concerns have arisen that the People Power Party (PPP) might be reverting to the 'hardline conservative' stance reminiscent of the former Liberty Korea Party era. This is due to the resurfacing calls within the PPP for pardons of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. Although the party leadership has drawn a line by stating that pardons are a 'presidential prerogative,' the debate over pardons remains alive.

According to political circles on the 24th, there was a fierce debate within the PPP regarding the pardon proposals for the two former presidents. After the pardon debate reignited, proponents advocating for active pursuit clashed with considerable opposition.

The opening salvo was fired by Representative Seo Byung-soo. During the National Assembly's government questioning session on the 20th, Seo said, "Many citizens, including myself, believe that the impeachment of former President Park was wrong," adding, "It is difficult for someone with ordinary common sense like me to understand whether former President Park committed acts serious enough to warrant impeachment, or whether it is acceptable to harass and neglect a former president in this way." On the 21st, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon, during a meeting with President Moon Jae-in, said, "I must speak frankly. A former president can be considered the highest citizen, and it pains me to see them treated this way," and requested, "Just as you called the two of us today, I ask you to reconsider a grand unification."

Former President Park Geun-hye [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, opposition voices were not insignificant. The day before, the PPP's youth research institute, 'Yojeumgeotdeul Research Institute,' issued a statement strongly rebutting, saying, "Former President Park's constitutional violations and state manipulation were matters that underwent impeachment and judicial judgment," and "Denying impeachment is denying the rule of law. This is not the path for our party." Representative Kim Woong, who plans to challenge for party leadership, told reporters after a lecture at the 'Mapo Forum' on the 22nd, "Since pardons are ultimately a presidential prerogative, what meaning does it have if the party discusses it? There are so many pressing issues, and bringing up pardons does not align well with the difficulties and livelihoods that the people are currently facing." Kim added, "Most lawmakers are not very interested in this matter." Regarding Seo's challenge to the impeachment, he said, "That is a personal opinion and does not hold much significance within the party," and "Especially among the first-term lawmakers group, who advocate for a party focused on the future, I think emphasis should be placed on that."

When the pardon debate erupted, the PPP leadership settled the issue by stating that it is not an official party demand but a 'presidential prerogative.' However, this dispute reaffirmed that some senior lawmakers still harbor intentions regarding the pardon issue. Joo Ho-young, acting party leader and floor leader of the PPP, told reporters after the emergency committee meeting the previous day, "Pardons are a presidential decision, and we do not officially request pardons as a party," adding, "We see it as an inherent presidential authority to be exercised through a decision within the judicial system."

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