Jeong Gyu Jae Says President Lee Remarked "Has It Already Been 10 Years?" When Pardon for Choi Seo Won Was Suggested

Choi Seo Won, Key Figure in Park Geun Hye Administration's State Affairs Scandal
Jeong Gyu Jae Mentions "Pardon"... "Has It Already Been 10 Years?"
Choi Received Treatment for Herniated Disc in March

It has been reported that Jeong Gyu Jae, a conservative commentator and former chief editor of Korea Economic Daily, requested a pardon for Choi Seo Won (formerly Choi Soon Sil), a key figure in the Park Geun Hye administration's state affairs manipulation scandal, during a meeting with President Lee Jae Myung. According to reports, President Lee responded by asking, "Has it already been 10 years since she was imprisoned?"

Choi Seo-won, a key figure in the Park Geun-hye administration's state affairs manipulation scandal. Photo by Asia Economy

On the July 15 broadcast of Channel A Radio's 'Political Signal,' Jeong said, "During the luncheon with President Lee, I told him that among those imprisoned over historical issues, Choi Soon Sil has now been in prison for 10 years, has lost all her assets, and is in a desperate situation. I suggested that perhaps it is time to consider a pardon."

Jeong added, "The President was surprised and asked, 'Is that so?' His reaction was not to say he would take any specific action, but rather, 'Has it already been that long?' That was the kind of response he gave." He continued, "Although there are various controversies surrounding Choi Soon Sil, she is not a wealthy person, and her daughter Jeong Yoo Ra is also struggling financially. I thought it would be right to allow her to maintain a basic standard of living, which is why I made the suggestion."

Choi, who was identified as a central figure in the Park Geun Hye administration's state affairs manipulation, was sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison: three years for obstruction of business related to Ewha Womans University admissions fraud, and 18 years for abuse of authority and bribery. She has been incarcerated since 2016. According to her daughter Jeong Yoo Ra, Choi was released on a one-month suspension of sentence in March due to a herniated disc and received medical treatment during that period.

At the time, Jeong stated, "It has been just over a month since my mother was released on suspension of sentence due to her severe herniated disc. I couldn't tell anyone because I was afraid it might affect (former President Yoon Seok Yeol's) impeachment trial and other matters, so I bore all the costs of a single hospital room alone and endured until today." She added, "I really hate this country. All I have left are another 40 million won in hospital bills and my family in tears," as she appealed for support.

President Lee Jae Myung is taking a commemorative photo before a luncheon with journalists at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 11th. From the left, Jeong Gyu Jae, former chief editor of Korea Economic Daily, President Lee, Jo Gap Je, CEO of Jogapje.com, and Lee Kyu Yeon, Chief of Public Relations and Communication at the Presidential Office. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Jeong Gyu Jae had lunch with President Lee Jae Myung at the Yongsan Presidential Office on July 11, together with Jo Gap Je, CEO of Jogapje TV, at the President's invitation. Although they are considered conservative figures, they have shown a favorable stance toward President Lee since the 12·3 Martial Law.

Previously, through Jeong's account, President Lee's views on current issues such as 'trade negotiations with the United States,' 'attendance at China's Victory Day event,' and 'National Assembly confirmation hearings for cabinet members' were also conveyed. Jeong said, "President Lee mentioned that Korea could move faster than Japan in trade negotiations with the United States. He said Japan has little to offer in negotiations with the US, and since it is election season for the House of Councillors, negotiations are not progressing, making it difficult to form a common consensus."

Regarding whether to attend China's Victory Day event, Jeong said President Lee commented, "No decision has been made yet." Jeong continued, "When former President Park Geun Hye attended the Victory Day event, the only other attendees were Russian President Vladimir Putin, criminals, and African leaders wanted by the International Criminal Court. President Lee expressed the view that former President Park went too far, and I got the impression that he is considering the issue of attending the Victory Day event very carefully."

Regarding Lee Jin Sook, the nominee for Minister of Education, who has faced allegations of plagiarism in her students' theses, Jeong said, "I did not personally recommend her; she was recommended to me, but there seem to be some issues, so I feel sorry about it." Jeong also asked about Jin Sook Lee, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, to which President Lee reportedly replied, "There will probably be a political decision soon."