President Moon on Mayor Park's 'Former President Pardon' Proposal: "Need to Consider Public Consensus"

Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun: "Former presidents are top citizens, it pains me to see them like that"

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Lee Ji-eun] "A former president can be considered the highest citizen, so it is heartbreaking to see him like that now."

On the afternoon of the 21st, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun said this during a luncheon at the Blue House with President Moon Jae-in, adding, "I will say something a bit uncomfortable." A senior Blue House official explained, "Although the word 'pardon' was not used directly, it is understood that the topic of pardon was discussed."

Mayor Park said, "Just as you called the two of us (Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and myself) today, I ask you to reconsider a great unification."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "It is heartbreaking that two former presidents are imprisoned," and added, "They are elderly and in poor health, which is regrettable."

President Moon said, "However, this issue cannot ignore the public consensus and must act in a way that helps national unity. We have no choice but to consider these two aspects together."

A senior Blue House official explained, "From what I understand, it was not a matter of agreement or refusal. The president has a humane feeling of regret about the fact that elderly former presidents have become prisoners."

The senior Blue House official added, "President Moon has exercised his pardon authority with restraint so far," and said, "We should consider the pardon issue from this perspective as well."