[Summary] Ruling Party Blasts Joo Ho-young for Saying 'Moon Also Eligible for Pardon'... "Remarks Close to a Crime," "Raises Doubts About Politician's Qualifications"

Kim Tae-nyeon "Treating the sitting president as a criminal... Apologize"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the People Power Party's floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Su-wan] Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, made a remark regarding President Moon Jae-in's press conference statement, saying, "When one becomes a former president, they might become a subject of pardon," which led members of the Democratic Party of Korea to collectively criticize him.

Earlier, at the party floor leaders' meeting on the 19th, Joo said to President Moon, "The sitting president eventually becomes a former president over time. When one becomes a former president, they might become a subject of pardon," adding, "You should have a perspective of putting yourself in others' shoes."

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th that the remark was "a statement that goes beyond political ethics and decency and should not have been made," and expressed deep regret, saying, "It is very regrettable that the leader of the main opposition party did not hesitate to make a curse-like statement treating the sitting president as a lawbreaker."

Kim added, "Joo Ho-young is a partner in the operation and negotiation of the National Assembly," and said, "Therefore, until now, I have refrained from responding to each of Joo Ho-young's remarks out of courtesy, but I cannot help but say something regarding Joo's statement targeting President Moon yesterday."

He continued, "Looking at the outcome, it is ultimately an insult to our sovereign people, the citizens. It would be appropriate for Joo Ho-young to apologize for this remark," emphasizing, "Prominent opposition figures are competing to make provocative and hateful remarks, but please maintain the dignity of politics. Respecting others is the way to be respected."

Kim Jong-min, a Supreme Council member, also said at the same venue, "Joo Ho-young's dreadful imagination linking the sitting president to a pardon is shocking," raising his voice, "Joo's remark is a symbolic statement revealing the true intentions of the People Power Party. It is a declaration of retaliation, saying that since they were unfairly treated, they will repay it whenever they get the chance, and a refusal to acknowledge the judgment and impeachment over the manipulation of state affairs."

Shin Dong-geun, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the Board of Audit and Inspection's National Assembly audit held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on October 15 last year. Photo by Yonhap News

Shin Dong-geun, a Supreme Council member, pointed out on his Facebook that Joo Ho-young's remark was "an insult and threat to President Moon, close to a criminal slander," and "a declaration that they will retaliate unconditionally once in power."

He added, "Such slander only makes pardons for former presidents more difficult," and expressed suspicion, saying, "I have doubts that Joo Ho-young might be an 'X-man' within the People Power Party who, contrary to appearances, does not wish for pardons for former presidents." He urged, "I hope Joo Ho-young apologizes for his slanderous remarks."

Yang Hyang-ja, also a Supreme Council member, wrote on her Facebook, "I feel deeply humiliated by Joo Ho-young's slander," and questioned, "Not long ago, he mentioned impeachment, and now he says they might become subjects of pardon. The prerequisite for a pardon is judicial punishment, so does that mean President Moon must have committed a crime he did not commit?"

She then pointedly said, "If Joo Ho-young truly wants pardons for the two former presidents, he should ensure that they can sincerely apologize to the people."

Shin Young-dae, a Democratic Party spokesperson, said in a statement that "Joo Ho-young is once again disturbing the constitutional order with a reckless remark predicting political retaliation against the sitting president," and added, "Joo's remark, which presumes the unfortunate history of former presidents being tried will be repeated, makes one doubt his minimum qualifications as a politician." He demanded, "Joo Ho-young should immediately apologize for the remark and first make a public apology for the crimes of the two former presidents."

Yoon Gun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker, also wrote on his Facebook, "Joo Ho-young's remarks toward the sitting president are intended to divide the people and provoke political strife, and the responsible person who should seek forgiveness has declared a kind of political retaliation against the sitting president," urging, "Joo Ho-young should politely apologize for the remark and reflect as the floor leader of a responsible party for the mistakes of a former president who impeached himself for crimes during his term."

President Moon Jae-in is taking notes on a reporter's question during the New Year's press conference held at the Blue House Chunuchu-gwan on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, President Moon said at the New Year's press conference on the 18th regarding the pardon issue of the two former presidents, "Now is not the time to talk about pardons," and stated, "The public's common sense will not tolerate movements demanding pardons in a way that denies past mistakes and does not accept the court's verdict, and I also find it difficult to accept."

He continued, "The opinion that we should achieve national unity through pardons is worth listening to, and a time will come when deeper consideration is needed," but added, "The premise is that a public consensus must be formed."