Hong Jun-pyo: "Kim Kyung-soo's Pretending to Be a Conscientious Prisoner Is Disgusting... Discussion of Pardon Is Not Appropriate"

"Kim Kyung-soo, Neither on the Same Level Nor Deserving of (Pardon)"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid speculation that former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo may be pardoned in this year-end special pardon, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo expressed opposition, stating that "discussing Kim's pardon at this point is not a proper debate."

On the 23rd, Mayor Hong said through his social media (SNS), "It is ridiculous to try to create public opinion for a pardon by including someone who is neither qualified nor deserving of a pardon."

Former Governor Kim is being mentioned as a candidate for pardon along with former President Lee Myung-bak in this special pardon. Recently, he submitted a 'petition against parole' expressing his intention not to accept a pardon. Through his wife, he also conveyed his firm rejection of "being used as a mere accessory to the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak, a pardon made just for appearances."

Regarding this, Mayor Hong stated, "It is outrageous that a serious anti-democratic criminal is pretending to be a prisoner of conscience," and pointed out, "He is the very person who, in collusion with Druking during the presidential election, manipulated public opinion with as many as 80 million cases, distorting the public sentiment of that election."

He added, "Rather, wouldn't it be political justice to pardon former floor leader Kim Sung-tae, who endured the Kim Kyung-soo special prosecutor investigation with his whole body and became a scapegoat due to retaliatory investigations?"

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