Kim Young-bae on Kim Kyung-soo's Role Theory: "No Possibility of Immediate Return"

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo Pardoned Without Reinstatement
"Just Released... Political Role Not Yet"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo was released through a special New Year's pardon, the 'Kim Kyung-soo role theory' has emerged, but there is a view within the Democratic Party that his political comeback is still premature.

Kim Young-bae, a Democratic Party lawmaker and longtime friend of former Governor Kim, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the 29th and said that Kim would not return to politics for the time being.

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo is paying respects at the late President Roh Moo-hyun's gravesite in Bongha Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam, on the morning of the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 28th, former Governor Kim was released after 521 days through a special pardon by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The government pardoned Kim Kyung-soo, whose sentence was set to expire in May next year, without restoring his civil rights. Since only the remaining sentence was exempted, Kim's eligibility to run for public office is restricted, making it impossible for him to run in elections. However, as he is considered the 'legitimate heir' of the pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) faction, there were expectations that he would play a central role within the Democratic Party.

Regarding this, Representative Kim said, "Since he is a politician, even without restoration of civil rights, there is no problem exercising political influence," but added, "It is correct to see that there is no possibility of returning to party affairs or active politics." He continued, "I think he will quietly stay low until the next general election while exploring necessary options."

On the same day, Park Chan-dae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and expressed the opinion that "it is still too early for a political role right after release."

Park said, "It was a pardon that he did not want, and looking at the details of this pardon, a considerable number of prosecutors who committed crimes and corruption were almost massively pardoned, which I think was a disastrous level of pardon," adding, "There are quite a few people who have political expectations for former Governor Kim Kyung-soo, but overall, it does not seem to be a widespread expectation."

Meanwhile, as his first official schedule after release, former Governor Kim visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, on the 28th with his spouse Kim Jeong-soon and paid respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. Regarding his future plans that day, Kim said, "I was released today, so first, since I was apart from my family for a long time, I will spend time with them," and added, "I will calmly organize my thoughts and speak when the opportunity arises."

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