Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo Parole VS Pardon: 'Fate Divided'

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo's fate appears to hinge on whether President Yoon Seok-yeol grants parole or a pardon ahead of the '8.15 Liberation Day Special Pardon' since his inauguration.

The local political circles analyzed that if President Yoon grants parole to former Governor Kim, it would pose a significant obstacle to the 2024 National Assembly elections and the consolidation of the pro-Moon Jae-in faction.

However, if President Yoon pardons former Governor Kim, he would be able to run in the National Assembly elections.

In particular, the pro-Moon faction is reportedly placing great hopes on the pardon, as Kim is expected to serve as a rallying point to counter the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction.

Nonetheless, President Yoon and the ruling party are expected to carefully consider the highly political calculations before making a decision.

This is also because President Yoon's approval rating is currently at a low point, and there is a need to create momentum for an increase.

Parole is the early release of a prisoner whose sentence period has not yet ended under certain conditions, while a pardon is the forgiveness of a crime and exemption from punishment based on the Constitution and the Pardon Act.

The current government is reportedly proceeding with the practical procedures for selecting pardon candidates.

A representative of the Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeongnam Provincial Party said, “If former Governor Kim Kyung-soo is released through a special pardon, he is expected to become a rallying point encompassing the Nakdong River belt in Gyeongnam ahead of the 2024 National Assembly elections,” adding, “However, if parole is granted, the situation is expected to change, making it difficult to predict the outcome.”

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