Ruling Party: "Respect Presidential Authority and Decisions" Opposition: "Welcome National Unity for Now"

Democratic Party Releases Only General Position Contrary to Lee Jae-myung's Opposition
People Power Party Criticizes Pardon as Diversion to Free Han Myeong-sook and Lee Seok-ki

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Lee Hyun-joo] With 75 days remaining until next year's presidential election, the sudden decision to pardon former President Park Geun-hye has heightened political circles' alertness to its potential impact on the election landscape. The Democratic Party of Korea issued a statement that "respects" the decision, which contrasts with candidate Lee Jae-myung's opposition to the pardon, effectively maintaining a principled stance. Meanwhile, the People Power Party welcomed the pardon of former President Park but criticized the timing and selection of the pardon as a "judgment based on political calculations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 24th, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the headquarters meeting of the election campaign committee, "This pardon, decided by President Moon after careful consideration, is a constitutional authority unique to the president," and added, "The Democratic Party respects this decision." He actively denied reports that there was prior consultation with the Blue House regarding the pardon of former President Park. President Moon's decision to pardon runs counter to the position of the party's candidate Lee, so the party's commentary was interpreted as being at a fundamental level. Until now, candidate Lee has opposed the pardon, stating that the two former presidents have yet to apologize.

Just before the pardon decision was announced, candidate Lee said, "My position on (the pardon of former President Park) has been consistently stated," adding, "For example, it is right to pay a price, there should be a preventive effect to ensure such incidents do not happen again, and there should be an apology?that has been my existing stance."

Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party candidate, expressed a position of "welcoming it, albeit late." When asked about his refusal to grant a suspension of execution of sentence for former President Park while he was a prosecutor, Yoon responded, "I did not refuse it myself; the suspension of execution committee must follow the decision of the chief prosecutor, and it was judged that the reasons did not apply."

The People Power Party, which has consistently demanded the pardon of former President Park, generally welcomed the decision. Lee Yang-su, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party's election campaign committee, said in a statement, "We welcome the pardon of former President Park," and added, "The People Power Party will strive even harder for national unity." Kim Jae-won, a senior member of the People Power Party aligned with the pro-Park faction, appeared on radio the same day and said, "Former President Park was detained for a long time and her health was not good, but the Moon Jae-in administration was thought to have subjected her to excessively harsh political persecution," expressing his welcome.

However, with former President Lee Myung-bak excluded from this special pardon, there are criticisms that this is a "dilution pardon" aimed at reinstating former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook and granting parole to former Unified Progressive Party lawmaker Lee Seok-ki. People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo sarcastically called it a "belated action" but also said, "It is a truly cunning tactic to divide the opposition by pardoning the two former presidents separately." Im Tae-hee, head of the campaign's general situation headquarters, said, "I think President Moon's real concern is that he has to pardon Lee Seok-ki and former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, but he is worried about how to do it in a way that can avoid public criticism."

Third-party presidential candidates raised the level of criticism against the pardon decision that day. Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party candidate, said, "It is an act that shakes the ethical and judicial standards of the president established by the citizens," and expressed "strong regret." Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party presidential candidate, criticized it as "a dilution related to Lee Seok-ki's parole." The campaign of Kim Dong-yeon, the New Wave presidential candidate, also said, "While special pardons are a unique presidential authority, there are concerns that it may go against public sentiment."

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