Even in the Opposition, Voices for 'Pardon After Inauguration' Emerge... Personnel 'Tug of War' Continues

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Park Joon-yi] As the meeting between President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Yoon Seok-youl is postponed due to issues such as the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak and personnel authority, voices calling for a 'post-inauguration pardon' are emerging even within the opposition party. While coordination between the transition team and the Blue House continues, a 'tug-of-war' over personnel appointments is still being detected.

A pro-Lee faction lawmaker said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 17th, "If a pardon recommendation is made, it would likely be a pardon on Buddha's Birthday, May 8, but what meaning does a pardon have at the end of a regime?" adding, "Unless it is an early pardon, it doesn't hold much significance."

Lim Tae-hee, special advisor to the President-elect, also appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that day and, when asked about the 'post-inauguration pardon' by the host, stated, "Now that it has been publicly revealed like this, and different positions (between the transition team and the Blue House) have emerged, I think it is unlikely that the current administration will readily proceed with it."

As differences over the pardon remain unresolved, voices within the opposition seem to be leaving the possibility open. The ruling coalition is actively opposing the pardon of former President Lee during President Moon's term. Earlier, on the 16th, 18 first-term lawmakers including Lee Tan-hee of the Democratic Party of Korea held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall, urging, "If a pardon is necessary, President-elect Yoon should take direct responsibility after becoming president."

Although practical discussions regarding the meeting are still ongoing, it is uncertain whether there has been any clear progress. Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the President-elect, responded to a question about 'any progress' during a media briefing by saying, "As far as I know, coordination is still ongoing," adding, "We are communicating and coordinating closely and continuously." The Blue House also avoided specific comments, saying, "This is a preparation period to ensure a good meeting, so please wait a little longer."

However, the tug-of-war between both sides regarding personnel appointments continued on this day as well. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized at the party's supreme council meeting, "The Moon administration, with only about a month left in its term, continues to make 'parachute and entrenchment' appointments," and added, "It is arrogant for President Moon, with only about one month left, to think of appointing people to positions with two, three, or four-year terms."

Park Soo-hyun, head of public communication at the Blue House, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and responded to the controversy over the successor to the Bank of Korea governor, saying, "The presidential term ends on May 9, so who else but President Moon would exercise the personnel authority?" and "Transferring that (the nomination right) is beyond common sense."

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