Jeon Hyunhee: "Oh Gwangsu Has Firm Will for Prosecution Reform... Pardon for Cho Kuk? Not Desirable Early in Administration"

Jeon Hyunhee Speaks on Oh Gwangsu Allegations and Prosecution Reform
"Previous Administration's Personnel System... We Should Take It as a Lesson"
On Calls for 'Cho Kuk Pardon': "Will Be Considered Gradually with Public Consensus"

As allegations have surfaced that Oh Gwangsu, Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs, managed his wife's real estate assets under borrowed names during his tenure as a prosecutor, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hyunhee stated, "It is regrettable that someone in a position responsible for personnel vetting took actions that fall short of public expectations." However, she also argued, "Since this was a result of the previous administration's personnel vetting system, we should take this as a lesson for the future." In an interview with YTN Radio's 'News Fighting' on June 11, Jeon said, "I believe the presidential office will make an appropriate judgment."

President Lee Jae Myung and Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hyun Hee.

Regarding doubts raised by some members of the ruling party and its supporters about Oh's commitment to prosecutorial reform, given his background in the Special Investigations Division of the prosecution, Jeon said, "He is someone with a very strong commitment to prosecutorial reform," and added, "Reform will be driven by the strong will of both the legislature and the president." She further explained, "As Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, he is the right person to actively communicate with the prosecution and, if there are factions within the prosecution that resist, to persuade and engage with them. He will play an important role."

Earlier that day, lawmakers belonging to the 'National Assembly Fair Society Forum (Cheoreomhwoe)' within the Democratic Party introduced a 'Prosecution Reform Bill' that centers on abolishing the Prosecutors' Office and establishing the Public Prosecution Office, Major Crimes Investigation Agency, and National Investigation Commission. They stated, "To separate the prosecution's investigative and indictment powers, we will abolish the Prosecutors' Office and establish a new Public Prosecution Office so that terms like targeted investigation, ordered investigation, and political investigation will no longer be used." They added, "While it is important to prevent the abuse of prosecutorial power, it is also essential to strengthen the prosecution's original role in protecting the daily lives of citizens. By establishing the National Investigation Commission under the Prime Minister, we will coordinate and supervise the functions and jurisdictions of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, the National Investigation Headquarters, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials."

During the last presidential election, Jung Kyungshim, the wife of former Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, posted a pre-voting encouragement poster on social networking services (SNS) that seemed to imply a pardon for former Cho. Jung Kyungshim Facebook

Meanwhile, one week after the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, calls for a pardon for former Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk have emerged in political circles. Choi Kangwook, a former Democratic Party lawmaker known as a close associate of Cho, said, "President Lee has previously stated that he would pardon former Cho in the shortest possible time before his imprisonment and called for everyone to 'join forces to save the country.' I expect that a special pardon will be granted soon."

Kim Sunmin, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, said in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Direct Current Affairs,' "The fact that former Cho was sentenced to two years and his wife, former professor Jung Kyungshim, to four years, was a result of political persecution and abuse of prosecutorial power. The entire nation knows that former Cho is a victim of prosecutorial overreach. Restoring the honor of those who have suffered from prosecutorial abuse and returning their lives to normal is an important task in ending internal strife," expressing hope for a pardon and reinstatement for former Cho. It was also reported that on June 11, during a meeting between Woo Sangho, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, and acting leader Kim Sunmin, remarks were made that seemed to urge a pardon for former Cho.

However, Jeon drew a line on the issue, saying, "Given President Lee's character, I do not believe he would have made such remarks." She added, "It is not desirable to discuss pardons for specific individuals at the beginning of an administration," and continued, "I believe this will be discussed gradually in line with public consensus."

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