Sim Sang-jung: "Political pardons cannot achieve national unity... It is 'denying the candlelight protests'"

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, holds a press conference to announce housing stability pledges at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, strongly criticized the pardon of former President Park Geun-hye on the 24th, saying, “A pardon without reflection or apology from the main culprit of the state affairs manipulation is itself a ‘candlelight denial.’” She also stated that national unity begins with restoring history and justice, and cannot be achieved through a politically motivated pardon.

At a press conference held at the Communication Center that day, Candidate Sim said, “Former President Park Geun-hye has never once deeply reflected on or apologized for her abuse of power and manipulation of state affairs. Rather, she has continued to act as if she were a political victim.” Referring to the pardons of Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, she added, “They never led to national unity.” She emphasized, “On the contrary, they resulted in the distortion of modern Korean history, and the aftermath is clearly revealed in the current presidential candidates’ reevaluation of Chun Doo-hwan.”

Candidate Sim said, “History cannot be twisted by the personal sympathy of a president, and at the very least, a president elected by candlelight protests must never exercise the pardon power in this matter.” She pointed out, “There was not even minimal public consent sought for such a significant pardon that could change the course of history. I hope the phrase ‘national unity’ is not used carelessly.”

She also criticized the timing, saying, “In the current presidential election phase, candidates from the two major parties are both on the judicial judgment stand. In this situation, it is highly inappropriate for the incumbent president to intervene and shake the ethical and judicial standards of the presidency established by the citizens.”

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