First Special Pardon of the Lee Jae-myung Government Includes Many Pro-Moon and Pro-Lee Politicians

It has been confirmed that the first special pardon list of the Lee Jae-myung government includes many pro-Moon figures such as former lawmakers Cho Kuk, Yoon Mee-hyang, and Choi Kang-wook. Controversy is expected as these individuals are seen as having a contentious relationship with the People Power Party.

On the afternoon of the 11th at 2:30 PM, President Lee Jae-myung convened an emergency Cabinet meeting to deliberate and decide on the special pardon, commutation, and restoration proposals for Liberation Day.

Originally scheduled to be discussed at the regular Cabinet meeting on the 12th, the pardon proposal was moved up by a day. A presidential office official explained, "The Cabinet meeting on the 12th has 61 agenda items, and the intention is to decide on the pardon first." The individuals subject to this pardon and restoration were those who passed the Ministry of Justice's pardon review committee on the 7th.

In addition to the previously mentioned figures, those also drawing attention include former Civil Affairs Secretary Baek Won-woo, who received a 10-month prison sentence related to the "Yoo Jae-soo investigation cover-up" case, and Yoon Gun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker who was fined for false internship registration.

Former Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung, who had a prison sentence confirmed in the Ministry of Environment blacklist case during the Moon Jae-in administration, and Shin Mi-sook, former Secretary for Personnel Balance, will also be pardoned. Also included are former lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang, convicted of embezzlement of donations for comfort women victims, and former Seoul Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon, who received a guilty verdict for the irregular appointment of dismissed teachers.

Proponents of the Democratic Party are reacting by saying, "It’s astonishing to see this list."

On the other hand, former Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province Lee Hwa-young, classified as a pro-Lee figure, is missing from the list. He is currently serving a 7-year and 8-month prison sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court in June related to the North Korean remittance case.

Individuals convicted in the Park Geun-hye administration's corruption scandal are also included in the pardon and restoration targets. They encompass former Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Choi Ji-sung, who received a 2-year and 6-month sentence for bribery, and former Samsung Electronics President Jang Chong-ki. Former Minister of Health and Welfare Moon Hyung-pyo and former head of the National Pension Fund Management Headquarters Hong Wan-seon, who are implicated in exerting undue pressure during the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, are also part of the pardoned individuals. Other notable figures include former opposition lawmakers Jung Chan-min, Hong Moon-jong, and Shim Hak-bong, as well as corporate leaders like Choi Shin-won, former chair of SK Networks, and Hyun Jin-hyun, former chair of Dongyang Group.

Background and Political Landscape Impact

There are various interpretations regarding the inclusion of many politicians, such as former representative Cho Kuk, in the first pardon. It is rare for politicians to be included in the first pardons issued during a presidency.

Former President Kim Dae-jung focused on pardoning ordinary citizens during his first special pardon shortly after taking office, while former President Roh Moo-hyun enacted pardons for close associates in his third year. Former President Lee Myung-bak also granted special pardons for his close associates at the end of his term.

Analysis suggests that "the overwhelming number of seats held by the current government and the significant gap in approval ratings between the Democratic Party and People Power Party alleviates the burden of pardoning politicians."

The combined seats of the Democratic Party (166 seats) and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party (12 seats) are close to 180. Many opinion polls indicate a substantial gap in support ratings between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party.

Internally, there are assessments within the People Power Party stating that "the exposure of Chairman Song Eon-seok's pardon request has removed the basis for criticism." Although there were requests to "cancel" the demand for this list, the prevalent sentiment is that "it was canceled because it got exposed."

Image sources: Former representative Cho Kuk of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party / News1, Representative Yoon Gun-young of the Democratic Party, classified as a prominent pro-Moon member / News1, President Lee Jae-myung / News1, Song Eon-seok, Chairman of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee, who was caught delivering the pardon request list to the presidential office / News1.