Opposition: "Kim Kyung-soo Pardon is Absurd"... Ruling Party: "President's Decision, Don't Tarnish It"

Roh: "There Can Be No Politics in Pardons"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea criticized the special pardon issued by President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 27th as a "reckless mass pardon that released the corrupt forces of Lee Myung-bak and the deep-rooted evils of Park Geun-hye." In response, the People Power Party strongly opposed the opposition party's stance, calling it "regrettable" and urging, "Do not tarnish President Yoon's decision with old-fashioned politics."

Park Sung-jun, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, criticized the special pardon deliberated and approved at the Cabinet meeting by President Yoon, saying in a written briefing, "It is a pardon made at my own discretion, completely disregarding public sentiment."

Regarding President Yoon's hope that the pardon would serve as an opportunity to unite national strength, Park pointed out, "This pardon undermines national unity and divides public opinion."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He asked, "What exactly is the rule of law that President Yoon emphasizes?" and questioned, "Is releasing corrupt forces, deep-rooted evils, and those who disrupt national order a decision befitting the rule of law?"

Spokesperson Park also remarked, "The person who led the investigation into deep-rooted evils is none other than President Yoon himself," and criticized, "Is Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol, who led the deep-rooted evils investigation, a different person from President Yoon Seok-yeol who is now releasing those forces?" He also questioned the exemption of an 8.2 billion won fine along with the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak, asking, "Is this the fairness and common sense that President Yoon has repeatedly emphasized?"

Regarding the pardon of former Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who had expressed opposition to the pardon, Park called it "absurd," criticizing, "Equating a criminal with over ten years remaining on their sentence with someone about to be released soon is unjust."

Spokesperson Park stated, "This special pardon decision signals the revival of corrupt and deep-rooted forces," and criticized, "President Yoon, who gained popularity through investigations to eradicate deep-rooted evils, is now set to govern the country alongside those forces."

The People Power Party strongly opposed the Democratic Party's stance.

Yang Geum-ui, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "This pardon shows President Yoon Seok-yeol's will for unity," and added, "It is regrettable that the Democratic Party views the President's decision for unity through the lens of old-fashioned politics."

Spokesperson Yang criticized, "Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is fervently criticizing this pardon, calling it a 'stooge,' a 'shield,' and even a 'sin.' I call this 불안돈목 (Bul-an-don-mok). From the Buddha's eye, everything looks like Buddha; from the pig's eye, everything looks ugly."

He said, "Is forcibly pardoning mainly those within their own ranks, such as labor groups and civic organizations, like former President Moon Jae-in of their party, the 'proper pardon' they claim? There should be no politics in pardons. Do not tarnish President Yoon Seok-yeol's decision, which aims to overcome conflict and pursue unity, with old-fashioned politics."

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