Jin Joong-kwon on Park Geun-hye's Pardon: "It Seems Intended to Shake Up the Election Scene"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized President Moon Jae-in's decision to grant a special pardon to former President Park Geun-hye, saying, "It seems like an intention to subtly shake up the election landscape."

On the 24th, Jin appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu' and made these remarks. He said, "It is strange for a candlelight government that came to power through impeachment to pardon a president who was impeached," adding, "It also contradicts the presidential campaign pledge not to exercise pardon rights for the five major serious corruption crimes: bribery, solicitation and acceptance of bribes, breach of trust, and embezzlement."

Earlier, President Moon decided on a special pardon for 3,094 people, including former President Park. Among those reinstated was former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, who was released after serving a prison sentence for illegal political fund charges.

Jin added, "If it was a matter of former President Park's health, it would have been better to use the suspension of execution system first, and to grant a pardon after the next administration takes office for the sake of national unity." Regarding the inclusion of election offenders among those pardoned and reinstated this time, he said, "I don't really understand why they were pardoned."

Jin argued, "In the case of former Prime Minister Han, there is no sign of remorse (gaejeon-ui jeong, meaning the mindset of a suspect, defendant, or prisoner acknowledging their wrongdoing). Since she keeps saying she is wronged, she should not have been pardoned." He also said, "Former Unified Progressive Party lawmaker Lee Seok-ki's case seemed to have followed normal procedures," adding, "I understand he was released after serving almost his full sentence."

Kim Seong-hoe, spokesperson for the Open Democratic Party, who appeared on the broadcast with Jin, said, "(Regarding former lawmaker Lee) the issue should have been resolved through a pardon. Paroling him and attaching an electronic anklet seems like excessive treatment for a political offender." Jin agreed, explaining, "It was more of an ideological trial than a judicial one."

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