Presidential Office: "Difficult to Know Cho Kuk's Pardon Status Before Lee's Final Decision"

Kang Yujeong, Presidential Office Spokesperson, Briefs on August 7

Kang Yujeong, spokesperson, is receiving questions after the briefing on the visit of the Vietnamese Party Secretary General at the Yongsan Presidential Office press conference room on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Presidential Office stated that it would be difficult to know whether former Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk will be considered for a pardon before the Cabinet meeting.

On August 7, Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, responded to a question regarding whether former leader Cho Kuk would be included in the Liberation Day special pardon, saying, "We will be able to know the finalized list around the time of the official announcement following the Cabinet's resolution."

Kang explained, "After the Cabinet meeting, the pardon recipients are decided and then officially announced," adding, "During this process, the President makes the final decision regarding the exercise of the pardon authority." She further clarified, "Until then, it is difficult to know the final list."

On the afternoon of the same day, the Ministry of Justice will convene the Pardon Review Committee to review candidates for the Liberation Day special pardon. According to political and legal sources, former leader Cho Kuk is reportedly included on the review list.

Once the Pardon Review Committee narrows down the candidates, Minister of Justice Jeong Seongho will report the results to President Lee Jaemyung, and the matter will be submitted to the Cabinet meeting on August 12. If the agenda is approved after Cabinet deliberation, the pardon will be finalized.

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