Kang Min-seok, Blue House spokesperson, is briefing at the Blue House Press Hall on January 14 regarding the finalization of the sentence for former President Park Geun-hye. 2021.1.14 [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Former President Park Geun-hye was sentenced to 15 years in prison and other heavy penalties in the so-called 'state affairs manipulation' case. On the 14th, the Blue House stated, "This unfortunate event in which a former president is serving a prison sentence should serve as a historical lesson so that such an incident never happens again."
Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, held a briefing immediately after the Supreme Court ruling on former President Park and said, "The state affairs manipulation case has been concluded through the people's candlelight revolution, the National Assembly's impeachment, and the judiciary's legal judgment." He added, "This reflects the constitutional spirit that 'the Republic of Korea is a democratic republic' and signifies the maturity and development of Korean democracy."
The focus now is on whether pardons will be granted to the two former presidents, Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. This issue surfaced prominently after Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in a media interview earlier this year, "I will recommend a pardon to the president at an appropriate time."
Regarding this, a senior Blue House official said, "It is not appropriate to mention pardons immediately after the Supreme Court ruling," and added, "We have not heard any separate remarks from President Moon Jae-in. There will likely be questions on current issues during the New Year's press conference," withholding further comments.
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