Oh Se-hoon Proposes Pardons for Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye to President Moon: "Received a Principled Response"

Discussion on Joint Hosting of 2032 Seoul-Pyongyang Olympics... Metropolitan Landfill Consultation and Support Request

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon revealed that he proposed a pardon for former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye during a meeting with President Moon Jae-in.

On the 21st, after having lunch with President Moon at the Blue House, Mayor Oh stated in a briefing at Seoul City Hall, "We discussed various current issues," adding, "I mentioned the issue of pardoning the two former presidents."

Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon also attended the lunch. Mayor Oh said, "I was thinking about the topic of pardons as I approached the meal, but Mayor Park spoke first," and added, "President Moon gave a general response regarding this."

Mayor Oh also conveyed that they discussed the promotion of the joint hosting of the 2032 Seoul-Pyongyang Olympics. In February, the IOC selected Brisbane, Australia, as the preferred negotiation site for hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics. In response, Seoul City immediately expressed regret to the IOC and submitted a proposal for joint hosting by Seoul and Pyongyang.

He explained, "Recently, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) showed a tendency to favor Brisbane, Australia," and continued, "As Seoul, which proposed the joint hosting with Pyongyang, I was curious about the Blue House's stance on how to respond, and President Moon replied that it is not a stage to give up yet." He also stated that they plan to coordinate with the government in their response.

He also requested the Blue House's cooperation for the stable operation of the metropolitan landfill site and securing additional land. The 3-1 landfill site, used by the three local governments of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi, can be used until 2025. Discussions are needed to develop additional land.

Mayor Oh said, "Experts predict that landfill will be possible until 2027," but added, "Although it seems there is some leeway, since the use of the remaining land has already been agreed upon, a four-party consultation will soon take place to prepare for the future, and about five years in advance, the remaining land must be developed."

He continued, "The plan needs to be finalized within this year, and the three local government heads will consult mainly through the Ministry of Environment, and I requested the Blue House's cooperation in this matter."