Joo Ho-young "Pardon Authority Moon's Decision Needed"... Opposition Party Supports 'Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye Pardon Theory'

Seo Byung-su Urges 'Moon Pardon Proposal' Ju Ho-young "Issue Requiring Moon's Decision"

Joo Ho-young, Acting Leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Joo Ho-young, acting leader of the People Power Party and floor leader, emphasized that the issue of pardoning former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye "requires the decision of President Moon Jae-in, who holds the pardon authority," lending his support.

On the morning of the 21st, after the emergency meeting of the People Power Party at the National Assembly, he made this remark when asked by reporters about his stance on the pardon proposal for former presidents.

He explained, "Earlier this year, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also proposed pardons, and many citizens are concerned about former presidents being imprisoned for a long time."

The previous day, Seo Byung-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker, urged Hong Nam-ki, acting Prime Minister (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance), during a National Assembly interpellation to recommend pardons for the two former presidents to President Moon.

On this day, Representative Seo told Acting Prime Minister Hong, "Many citizens, including myself, believe that the impeachment of former President Park was wrong," adding, "It is difficult for someone with ordinary common sense like me to understand whether former President Park committed illegal acts warranting impeachment, or whether he committed crimes punishable by imprisonment, fines, and confiscation through judicial processing."

In response, Acting Prime Minister Hong said, "Since this is a matter within President Moon's exclusive authority, I do not think it is for me to make a judgment."