Na Kyung-won: "Politics that gains by insulting former presidents... We must end the history of retaliation"

Claims of "Forced Balance for Left-Wing Rally" Over Special Pardons

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Na Kyung-won, former member of the Future United Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), urged that "the political structure that gains benefits by disparaging former presidents must be improved" in relation to former President Park Geun-hye being included in the special pardon list.

In a post on her Facebook on the 26th, former lawmaker Na emphasized, "Almost all past presidents of the Republic of Korea have either been criminally punished themselves, had family members criminally punished, or tragically ended their lives. The history of retaliation must be broken."

She continued, "The problem is the pardon based on this government's highly political calculation," and claimed, "The parole of former Unified Progressive Party lawmaker Lee Seok-ki and the reinstatement of former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook are forced attempts to balance the scales to trigger the unification of left-wing forces ahead of the presidential election."

Former lawmaker Na also called for a political culture where all former presidents are respected.

She said, "During this autumn's visit to the United States, former President Roh Tae-woo passed away. Discussions were underway about whether to hold a state funeral and whether to inter him at the National Cemetery," adding, "At that time, I happened to visit the National Portrait Gallery and the first portrait I looked for was that of former President Nixon."

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is leaving the briefing room after announcing the 2022 New Year's special pardon, which included former President Park Geun-hye, at the Government Seoul Office on the 24th. / Photo by Yonhap News

She added, "Seeing the photo of former President Nixon, who was disgracefully forced to resign due to the Watergate scandal, I envisioned a politically advanced country."

She then emphasized, "We need a president who not only has the decisiveness to break the history of retaliation but also someone who can carry out the presidency cleanly."

On the 24th, the government carried out a special pardon for 3,094 people, including former presidents, ahead of the New Year 2022. The pardon list included former President Park and former Prime Minister Han. Former President Park will be released at midnight on the 31st, when the pardon takes effect.

Regarding this, Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 24th to announce the "2022 New Year Special Pardon," explaining, "We included them in the pardon list to overcome the national crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19 through national unity, leaving behind the unfortunate history of the past, and to create an opportunity to take a new step toward the future."

He added, "I understand that President Moon Jae-in considered (the pardon of former President Park) from the perspectives of public consensus, judicial justice, the rule of law, as well as national unity and conflict healing," and "Former President Park's health condition was also an important criterion in the decision for the special pardon."

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