Jo Hae-jin: "Leave the pardon of Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak to President Moon, and stop the opposition's bickering"

"Amnesty is a matter for the president with pardon authority to decide"
The necessity of amnesty remains "the same opinion as before"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 26th, Rep. Cho Hae-jin of the People Power Party said that there is "no need for the opposition party to demand or cling to" the pardons of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. This marks a step back from his previous stance demanding President Moon Jae-in’s decision, calling for resolution by those responsible.

Rep. Cho, who declared his candidacy for the People Power Party leadership, appeared on YTN Radio’s "Hwang Bo-seon’s Start Morning" on the same day. While mentioning the necessity of pardons, he left the final decision to President Moon and expressed that "there is no longer a need to argue about it."

He said, "There is no need to mention the pardon issue any further," adding, "From the opposition party’s perspective, I believe there is no need to ask the president to grant pardons or to cling to the issue." He continued, "Pardons are a matter decided by the president who holds the power of pardon. It is not a matter where the president grants pardons just because the opposition asks, or refuses because they do not ask. Therefore, I believe it is no longer appropriate for us to raise this issue, argue about it, or demand and cling to the president."

Regarding the pardons of the two former presidents themselves, Rep. Cho stated, "My opinion remains the same as before," indicating that his position that "pardons are necessary" has not changed. He explained, "Whether it is my position or others’, it has already been expressed. I do not believe anyone has spoken from a personal motive. Everyone has spoken out of sincere concern for national development, the need for national unity, the end of an unfortunate constitutional history, and the normalization of politics without further disruptions."

Earlier, on the 23rd, after declaring his candidacy for party leader and meeting with reporters, Rep. Cho said, "For the people who are heartbroken by the continued tragic history of former presidents, resolution by those responsible is necessary," and added, "I believe it is natural for President Moon and the administration to grant pardons before the end of the term."

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