Special Amnesty on Liberation Day, Including Politicians from Both Parties… Divergent Reactions from the Political Community
Jeong Cheong-rae, the representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, posted a congratulatory message about the special amnesty on Liberation Day on social media.
On the 11th, Representative Jeong stated through his social media account, "'Special amnesty' for the ruling party includes Cho Kuk and Choi Kang-wook, while the opposition includes Hong Moon-jong and Jeong Chan-min."
He added, "I respect and welcome the special amnesty, which is the President Lee Jae-myung's exclusive right," and stated, "You all have gone through a lot, Cho Kuk and Choi Kang-wook. Congratulations."
President Lee approved the special amnesty for Cho and a total of 836,687 people during an extraordinary cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office the previous afternoon.
Special Amnesty List Including Figures from Both Parties
This special amnesty has drawn attention as it includes several political figures.
The list of amnesty recipients includes prominent figures such as former Representative Cho's spouse, former lawmakers Choi Kang-wook and Yoon Mi-hyang, former Superintendent of Education Cho Hee-yeon, lawmaker Yoon Geon-young, former Civil Affairs Secretary Baek Won-woo, and former Minister of Environment Kim Eun-kyung, among many others from the ruling party.
From the opposition, former lawmakers Hong Moon-jong, Jeong Chan-min, and Shim Hak-bong, who had requested amnesty and reinstatement via text to the Chief of Staff to the President, Kang Hoon-sik, were also selected as recipients of the amnesty and reinstatement.
Divergence in Reactions to the Special Amnesty Announcement by the Lee Jae-myung Government
The ruling and opposition parties are showing opposing views regarding the announcement of the special amnesty on Liberation Day.
Park Soo-hyun, the Chief Spokesperson of the Democratic Party, stated in a press conference at the communication center the day before, "Former Representative Cho had to endure great trials and suffering due to the unjust investigations and prosecutions of the political prosecution."
He emphasized that "it is only natural to restore the honor of the victims of the political prosecution alongside putting the political prosecution back in its rightful place."
Divergent Reactions… Democratic Party Welcomes It vs. Criticism from the People's Power Party
Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu stated, "The amnesty for former Representative Cho Kuk is symbolic of the end of civil strife and the restoration of democracy, and it also carries meaning for national unity," and evaluated, "The President's leadership qualities have been reaffirmed with boldness and insight to read the zeitgeist."
In contrast, Song Eon-seok, the Emergency Committee Chair and floor leader of the People’s Power Party, criticized, "This special amnesty, carried out amidst the dismissal of the public and opposition party's objections, will be recorded as a dark chapter in the abuse of the President's pardon power."
He added, "Former Professor Jeong Kyung-sim, involved in the entrance exam corruption with former Minister Cho, former lawmaker Choi Kang-wook, who aided in the entrance exam corruption, and Baek Won-woo (former Civil Affairs Secretary), who helped cover up the Blue House inspection with former Minister Cho, were all included in the amnesty," describing this special amnesty as "an exercise of pardon powers as a reward for regime change."
Park Seong-hoon, the chief spokesperson for the People’s Power Party, also criticized strongly, saying, "Crossing the 'River of Cho Kuk' on Liberation Day, 'Justice crumbled in the swamp of Yoon Mi-hyang'," stating it would remain a mark of the Lee Jae-myung regime.
Image source: Jeong Cheong-rae, Representative of the Democratic Party of Korea / News1, (left) Cho Kuk, former leader of the Justice Party / News1, (right) Choi Kang-wook, former lawmaker of the Democratic Party / News1, (left) Jeong Kyung-sim, former professor of Dongyang University / News1, (right) Yoon Mi-hyang, former lawmaker of the Democratic Party / News1
