[Summary] "Moon May Also Be Pardoned" Ju Ho-young's Remark... Ruling Party's Fierce Attack: "Is This a Political Retaliation Warning?"

President Moon on 'Pardon Theory' at Press Conference: "Not the Time to Talk Yet"
Joo, Floor Leader, Points Out "Former Presidents Can Also Be Pardoned"
Ruling Party Opposes: "Insult to Sitting President," "Declaration of War and Intimidation"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is giving a greeting at the 4th Ontact Policy Workshop held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] The conflict between the ruling and opposition parties is deepening over the pardon debate concerning former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. When Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, commented that it is "not yet the time to talk" about the pardon, echoing President Moon Jae-in's earlier remarks, and added that the president himself "might become a subject of pardon," the ruling party strongly retaliated, calling it a "declaration of political retaliation."

On the 19th, at the party's floor strategy meeting, Floor Leader Joo stated, "A sitting president eventually becomes a former president over time," adding, "Once they become former presidents, they themselves could also be subject to pardon."

He further said, "I hope they always adopt a perspective of putting themselves in others' shoes."

This remark by Floor Leader Joo appears to target President Moon's earlier statement on the 18th, when he concluded that "now is not the time to talk" about the pardon issue.

At the '2021 New Year Press Conference' held both online and offline at the Blue House Chunghwacang, President Moon said regarding the pardon of former presidents, "If the public does not sympathize with the pardon, this pardon cannot be a means of unity," emphasizing that "public consensus must come first."

He also said, "The fact that two former presidents are incarcerated is a very unfortunate situation for the nation," but firmly stated, "Now is not the time to talk about pardons."

President Moon Jae-in is attending the New Year's press conference held at the Blue House Chunuchu-gwan on the 18th. / Photo by Yonhap News

The Democratic Party immediately pushed back against Floor Leader Joo's remarks.

Shin Young-dae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a statement that "Floor Leader Joo is once again disturbing the constitutional order with reckless remarks that predict political retaliation against the sitting president," and criticized, "His comments, which assume the unfortunate history of former presidents being tried will be repeated, cast doubt on his minimum qualifications as a politician."

He urged, "Floor Leader Joo should immediately apologize for his remarks and first issue a public apology to the people for the crimes of the two former presidents."

Shin Dong-geun, a Supreme Council member of the same party, strongly criticized on his Twitter account, calling it "an insult and threat to the sitting president that crosses the line for the floor leader of the main opposition party."

Woo Sang-ho, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker who declared his candidacy for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, also criticized on Facebook, calling it "an insulting remark against the sitting president, a declaration of political retaliation, and intimidation."

He added, "It is the height of reckless remarks that political leaders should never make, and I cannot help but feel anger," questioning, "Is it truly appropriate for national unity to urge pardoning former presidents while saying the sitting president could also be subject to pardon?"

Park Sang-hyuk, another lawmaker from the same party, wrote on Facebook, "It treats the sitting president as a potential criminal," and pointed out, "In this difficult time of national crisis, when we should prioritize people's livelihoods, is it too much to expect the People Power Party to uphold political boundaries and elevate dignity this year as well?"