After the Presidential Election, Pardon Discussions Resurface... The Reason Is 'National Unity,' What Do You Think?

Ahead of the Meeting Between President Moon and President-Elect Yoon on the 16th, 'Pardon Debate' Gains Momentum
People Power Party: "Pardon Issue Should Be Resolved Through National Unity"
Democratic Party Divided... "Long-term Imprisonment of Former Presidents Is a Political Burden" VS "Traitors"
Citizens Mostly Negative About Pardons: "Why Is Politician Pardon Considered National Unity?"
Experts: "High Possibility of Accepting Pardons... Pardon of Close Associates Like Kim Kyung-soo Will Also Be Discussed"

Since the presidential election, there has been discussion in the political sphere about the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak. The photo shows Mr. Lee on February 10 last year, leaving Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and heading to a transport vehicle bound for Anyang Prison.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Following the pardon of former President Park Geun-hye at the end of last year due to health reasons ahead of the presidential election, discussions are now emerging about a special pardon for Lee Myung-bak. This comes as speculation arises that the incoming President Yoon Seok-yeol's side will propose a pardon ahead of a meeting between President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol.

President-elect Yoon has previously mentioned the necessity of a pardon. On December 24 last year, he welcomed the special pardon of Park Geun-hye and stated, "I think the pardon of President Lee Myung-bak should be judged from the perspective of national unity." At a Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club debate on December 28, Yoon said, "I have doubts about whether it is desirable internationally or for the future of the people for a former president to be imprisoned for a long time," adding, "I think the constitution grants the president the authority of pardon for the sake of national development and unity."

Similarly, the People Power Party is demanding a pardon citing 'national unity.' Floor leader Kim Ki-hyun has called for the pardon and reinstatement of Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman, who was released on parole last year on Liberation Day, along with Lee Myung-bak. On the 14th, through his Facebook, he emphasized, "The will of the people who chose President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is to stop dividing camps and open a new era of harmony and prosperity through national unity," and added, "It is time to settle the issue of pardons and reinstatements for former President Lee Myung-bak and Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won also lent weight to the pardon argument. On the 11th, during YTN Radio's 'Start Hwang Bo-seon's New Morning,' when asked about pardons, he said, "In fact, there was a lot of public opinion that it would be right to do it together at the time of President Park Geun-hye's pardon. I think that is something President Moon should settle during his remaining term," adding, "I think it is right for the president, who is about to end his term, to naturally wrap it up."

Within the Democratic Party, opinions are divided. On the afternoon of the 14th, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min responded to the question 'Do you think President Moon should settle the pardon issue?' on MBC Radio's 'Pyo Chang-won's News High Kick' by saying, "Of course, he should. Having a former president imprisoned for a long time is a significant political burden for President Moon, who is about to leave office."

Lee continued, "As the new government is launched, it is desirable for President Moon to make efforts to untangle these complicated issues," and said, "To prevent division among the people and to unite them, I believe President Moon cannot avoid pardoning former President Lee Myung-bak before leaving office."

There has been criticism within the party regarding these remarks. Former Democratic Party election committee spokesperson Kim Woo-young labeled Lee as a 'traitor' and demanded his expulsion. Kim said, "I thought of the first thing the Democratic Party Emergency Committee should do," and added, "Expel Lee Sang-min, a small betrayer who appears whenever forgotten and turns the gun around to shoot."

In political circles, there is speculation that President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol will bring up the issue of pardons during his meeting with President Moon Jae-in on the 16th. The photo shows President Moon on July 25, 2019, heading to a meeting room after presenting the appointment letter to then-new Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In political circles, there is growing weight on the possibility of a special pardon around Buddha's Birthday at the end of next month or early May. Since President Moon emphasized 'national unity' immediately after the presidential election, it is analyzed that it would be difficult to refuse if President-elect Yoon proposes a pardon for that reason. When Park Geun-hye was pardoned earlier, her critical health condition and national unity were cited as reasons. However, at that time, the Blue House drew a line by saying the case of Lee Myung-bak was different, so attention is focused on President Moon's decision this time.

However, the Democratic Party faced much criticism earlier when Lee Jae-yong was granted parole. Civil society groups and progressive camps criticized it as a parole privilege only for chaebols, so this issue is also not expected to be an easy decision. During Park Geun-hye's pardon, protests by civic groups such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the 4.16 Sewol Ferry Families Solidarity also took place.

However, the public is expressing opposition to the 'national unity' reason cited by politicians for pardons. This is due to recent cases of parole and pardons involving Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Park Geun-hye.

One netizen criticized, "He is a former Prosecutor General, yet they discuss pardons even before inauguration. What kind of national unity is pardoning criminals? If a pardon is necessary, let the new government do it. Why pass the burden to the current government?" Another netizen questioned, "Please explain how a pardon helps national unity. Why should elected officials who took private interests during their term be pardoned? Isn't this ultimately politics for politicians?"

There is also skepticism about the presidential pardon power itself. Park, a worker in his 20s, said, "A pardon for someone who has been sentenced according to a verdict can be seen as condoning the crime. Criticism of special treatment for politicians and chaebols is not without reason," adding, "I don't understand the necessity of presidential pardon power. Even if it exists, it should only be used in particularly exceptional cases."

On December 27 last year, representatives of civic groups including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the 4.16 Bereaved Families Solidarity held a press conference opposing the pardon of former President Park Geun-hye in front of the Blue House Fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

However, some supporters are in favor of the pardon citing Lee's advanced age. Experts believe the Blue House is likely to accept a pardon for Lee Myung-bak. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon analyzed, "For President Moon, there will be political burdens after leaving office," and added, "It seems that the pardon of close aides such as former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo will also be discussed together."

Meanwhile, President-elect Yoon's side has formalized the intention to request a pardon for Lee Myung-bak at this meeting. Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the President-elect, said at a briefing at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 15th, "The two will have a private meeting and talk frankly without any attendants," and added, "President-elect Yoon has long held the view to request a pardon for former President Lee Myung-bak. Therefore, we hope this meeting will serve as an opportunity for national unity and harmony."

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