Hong Junpyo Criticizes Possible Liberation Day Pardon for Yoon Mihyang: "Patriots in Dongjak-dong Would Rise from Their Graves"

Cho Kuk, Cho Heeyeon, and Choi Kangwook Reportedly Included
Strong Criticism from People Power Party over Special Pardon List

Controversy has arisen after it was reported that former Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mihyang was included in this year's Liberation Day special pardon list. In response, former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo expressed outrage, saying, "The patriots buried in Dongjak-dong would rise from their graves," and criticized the decision as "beyond common sense." On August 10, Hong posted on his social media, "Even though the power to grant pardons lies solely with the president, granting a special pardon on August 15 to someone who embezzled funds meant for comfort women is an act beyond common sense. The patriots in Dongjak-dong would rise from their graves." The "patriots in Dongjak-dong" he referred to are those who sacrificed their lives for the country and are buried at the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak District, Seoul. His comment is a metaphor suggesting that those who died for the nation would be so outraged by this injustice that they would rise from their graves.

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo. Hong Junpyo Facebook

Previously, Yoon Mihyang was brought to trial in 2020 on charges of misusing donations from the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, which were intended to support victims of the Japanese military "comfort women" system. The Supreme Court upheld a second trial verdict sentencing her to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years, resulting in the loss of her eligibility to run for public office. Yoon continues to claim she has been wronged. The list of those eligible for special pardon reportedly includes Yoon Mihyang, Cho Kuk?the former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party?and his spouse, former lawmaker Choi Kangwook, and former Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Heeyeon. Cho Kuk is currently serving a two-year prison sentence, confirmed by the Supreme Court last year, for charges including college admissions fraud involving his children.

People Power Party: "Like removing pro-Japanese collaborator Yi Wanyong from the list of pro-Japanese figures"

Not only Hong Junpyo but also the People Power Party strongly criticized the special pardon list, insisting that "criminal pardons" must stop. Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, argued in a statement on August 9, "The first pardon by the Lee Jaemyung administration is signaling the dawn of an era for criminals." He particularly pointed out, "Pardoning Yoon Mihyang, who betrayed the comfort women grandmothers, is no different from removing pro-Japanese collaborator Yi Wanyong from the list of pro-Japanese figures," and added, "If pardons are granted on the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, the patriots who sacrificed themselves for liberation would be weeping."

Former National Assembly Member Yoon Mihyang. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Within political circles, many predict that the list decided by the Ministry of Justice's Pardon Review Committee is unlikely to be changed in the Cabinet meeting. However, since pardons are the exclusive authority of the president, some argue that the final outcome cannot be known until the official decision is made. President Lee Jaemyung is scheduled to make a final decision on August 11 regarding the Liberation Day special pardon and reinstatement for Yoon Mihyang, Cho Kuk, and others. On this day, President Lee will preside over an extraordinary Cabinet meeting in the afternoon to deliberate and decide on special pardons, special commutations, special reinstatements, and special reductions.