Cho Kuk Innovation Party Anticipates 'Cho Kuk Pardon' Ahead of Cabinet Meeting

Kim Sunmin Says, "We Will Wait Calmly"

With the name of former Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk reportedly included on the special pardon list, anticipation is rising within the Cho Kuk Innovation Party ahead of the extraordinary Cabinet meeting to discuss the matter.

Yonhap News

After the Cho Kuk Innovation Party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on the morning of the 11th, acting party leader Kim Sunmin told reporters, in response to a question about expectations regarding the pardon of former leader Cho Kuk, "We will wait calmly." Later that afternoon, President Lee Jaemyung is scheduled to convene an extraordinary Cabinet meeting to deliberate and decide on special pardons, special commutations, special reinstatements, and special reductions. It is reported that the meeting will reach a final decision on whether to grant a Liberation Day special pardon and reinstatement to former Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk. The Cho Kuk Innovation Party plans to announce its position after the results are made public, regardless of whether the pardon is granted.

As the Cho Kuk Innovation Party was founded under the leadership of former leader Cho Kuk, expectations among party members regarding his pardon are running high. Jeong Chunseong, the party's Policy Committee Chair, told our publication by phone, "Given the current trend, the pardon seems hopeful, but since we have not been directly notified, we are watching the situation. Personally, I do not think the pardon will be denied." Baek Sunhee, a Cho Kuk Innovation Party lawmaker, also commented, "With the Cabinet meeting moved up by a day, there is a lot of interest. I understand that the Lee Jaemyung administration has chosen national unity and judicial reform as key agendas. I believe it is necessary to restore those who were sacrificed under the Yoon Sukyeol administration for the sake of judicial reform."

The Cho Kuk Innovation Party has stated that, should former leader Cho Kuk return, it will seek a new vision for the party. Seo Wangjin, the party's floor leader, said on KBS radio program "Jeonggyeok Sisa," "At the time of our founding, we declared our aim to end prosecutorial dictatorship early. From that perspective, with the end of the rebellion and prosecutorial reform now in sight, we have completed the first stage of our mission. As it is time for the party to move on to the second stage, the sooner former leader Cho Kuk returns, the better." He also drew a clear line regarding the possibility of a merger with the Democratic Party, saying, "We have never considered it since our founding."

Hwang Unha, another Cho Kuk Innovation Party lawmaker, expressed hope as well, stating, "If there is a central figure, party leadership activities such as recruiting talent for local elections will become more active, and the overall atmosphere will likely change."

However, recent public opinion polls show that the public is evenly divided on the issue of pardoning former leader Cho Kuk. Regarding this, Yoon Jaegwan, the party's chief spokesperson, said, "It is the role of a political party to humbly accept the judgment of the people, so I don't think it is appropriate to comment." He added, "However, even among those who oppose the pardon, many believe there are problems with the state judicial system, as both spouses received prison sentences of four and two years respectively, and their child had their medical license revoked in connection with the so-called 'Cho Kuk incident.'"

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