Na Kyung-won: "President Moon Should Resolve Lee Myung-bak's Pardon Within Remaining Term"

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won. / Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Na Kyung-won, former member of the People Power Party and head of the party's Seoul election campaign headquarters, stated regarding the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak, "It is appropriate for President Moon Jae-in, who is nearing the end of his term, to naturally bring this to a close."

On the 11th, during YTN Radio's 'Start Hwang Bo-seon's New Morning,' when the host asked, "President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and President Moon are scheduled to meet soon. Do you think the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak (MB) might be discussed at this meeting?" she responded accordingly.

She added, "I don't know because I haven't been inside the president-elect's mind," and said, "I don't think the president-elect will bring up that topic immediately when meeting President Moon."

She continued, "In fact, there was a lot of public opinion last year suggesting that it would be appropriate to handle it together with the pardon of former President Park Geun-hye. I think that is something President Moon should settle during the remainder of his term."

Previously, former President Park was imprisoned in March 2017 for the 'state affairs manipulation' case, sentenced to 22 years in prison, and after serving 4 years and 8 months, was released on December 31 through a special presidential pardon.

Former President Lee was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2020 on charges including bribery and embezzlement and is currently serving his sentence. He is scheduled for release in 2036 when he turns 95 years old.

Na said, "Even if President-elect Yoon does not bring up (MB's pardon), I believe it is a matter that President Moon will handle on his own," and added, "It is not about whether President-elect Yoon mentions it or not; it is appropriate for the president nearing the end of his term to naturally bring it to a close."

Meanwhile, regarding criticism that President-elect Yoon is a 'political novice,' Na defended him, saying, "President-elect Yoon became president in just eight months. Although he is a first-term politician, he has shown considerable political skill during that process."

When asked how she would respond if offered a ministerial position, she said, "I don't think this is the time to talk about that. The president-elect is likely having a headache dealing with a minority government and various obstacles everywhere."

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