No One Satisfied with Park Geun-hye's Pardon... Opposition "Divide and Rule," Ruling Party "Regretful"

A banner installed by supporters of former President Park Geun-hye is displayed near Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 26th, following the decision of a special pardon for former President Park.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The political sphere remains unsettled over the issue of pardoning former President Park Geun-hye. The Blue House is making every effort to persuade that there is no political consideration involved, but the opposition party criticizes it as an attempt to cause division within the opposition ahead of the presidential election. The ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, says it "respects" President Moon Jae-in's decision but does not hide its discomfort, seemingly aware of the backlash from its support base.

Since the special pardon decision for former President Park on the 27th, debates continue in the political arena. Although officially expressing a "welcoming" stance, there are suspicions about President Moon's intentions within political circles.

Seong Il-jong, a strategic figure within the opposition People Power Party, appeared on a radio show and said, "I want to question whether this direction truly aligns with integration and harmony," pointing out, "The core of this pardon involves two former presidents, but former President Lee Myung-bak was excluded." Seong added, "I believe this pardon involves political calculations aimed at consolidating internal unity at this critical time ahead of the presidential election," and questioned, "Isn't it also an attempt to cause division within the opposition?" Within the opposition, there is a view that this pardon targets Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party's presidential candidate who was responsible for investigating former President Park, aiming to cause division through this pardon.

The ruling party also voices complaints regarding this pardon decision. Park Ju-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker who actively participated in the candlelight protests during the impeachment of former President Park, said, "I acknowledge that the president has made a decision," but added, "From the public's perspective and even my own, there are regrettable and frustrating aspects." Jin Sung-jun, a Democratic Party lawmaker and former secretary for political planning at the Blue House, said, "I question whether the pardon is appropriate given the lack of remorse or apology from former President Park," but also mentioned, "Since it is the president's inherent authority, it needs to be respected."

The Blue House is making every effort to explain that there is no political intention behind this pardon. Park Soo-hyun, the Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication, appeared on radio shows consecutively to explain the background of the pardon. Park explained, "(The pardon) considered former President Park's health condition and the fact that she served 4 years and 9 months in prison." Regarding the opposition's claim of "divide and rule," he argued, "Even within the ruling party, there is such backlash, so how could the pardon be intended to divide the opposition?" and defended, "No matter how much I think about it, I cannot understand why it is seen as divide and rule."

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