Complex Calculations Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over MB and Park's Pardon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] With the Supreme Court's final ruling on former President Park Geun-hye, the ruling and opposition parties' calculations regarding the pardon of the two former presidents have become complicated. The Democratic Party of Korea maintains its stance that an apology and reflection must be prerequisites, while the People Power Party urges a pardon but shows a sensitive reaction regarding the specific timing of the pardon. This is due to concerns that a pardon could potentially influence the Seoul mayoral by-election or the presidential election.

Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker running for the Seoul mayoral by-election, said in a radio interview on the 15th, "If (former President Park) apologizes to the people, the public will think, 'She must have reflected. Let's release her now,' and public opinion should be formed this way. It means showing a basic attitude to gain national consent."

Park Joo-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker considered a potential candidate for Seoul mayor, also appeared on the radio that day and expressed a negative stance on pardoning former President Park, saying, "She practically almost did not participate in the trial process. That means she does not seem to accept or acknowledge her situation or guilt." When asked whether the Democratic Party would officially propose a pardon to the government first, he said, "According to what was settled at the emergency Supreme Council meeting held at the time, you can take it that way," adding, "In fact, everything has been settled now."

The People Power Party's position is that a special pardon should be swiftly carried out since former President Park's sentence has been confirmed. Kwon Seong-dong, a People Power Party lawmaker who served as the impeachment prosecutor for former President Park, said that day, "From the perspective of national dignity, it is undesirable for punishment against a former president to continue and for political revenge controversies to persist," adding, "The pardon for a former president should be as soon as possible."

However, the People Power Party shows sensitivity regarding the timing of the pardon announcement. There is a concern that pardoning former presidents just before the by-election could generate favorable public opinion for the ruling party. In fact, Kwon said the day before, "It does not seem appropriate timing-wise for the party to actively push for (the pardon demand)."

Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, predicted that President Moon would definitely proceed with the pardon within the year. In a radio interview that morning, Ha said, "Any president would consider historical evaluation toward the end of their term," adding, "Even if public opinion is unfavorable now, I believe the pardon will definitely be made within the year to receive a historically positive evaluation and to prevent the repetition of presidential misfortune and vicious cycles."