Kim Boo-kyum: "Pardoning Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye is difficult as a unilateral presidential decision... Please wait and see"

"I will report the opinion on pardoning Lee Jae-yong to the President"

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is attending the government questioning session on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 22nd, responding to the questions from the members of the assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum expressed a reserved stance regarding the pardons of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, mentioning the need for 'public consent' and other factors. Kim said, "Please wait a little longer."

On the 22nd, during a National Assembly interpellation session, Prime Minister Kim responded this way to People Power Party lawmaker Jung Woon-chun's question, which emphasized national unity while referring to the fact that the two former presidents are currently imprisoned.

Kim said, "It is difficult now for a president to unilaterally decide on pardons as in the past," adding, "It is regrettable for the community that two former presidents who were responsible for the Republic of Korea are currently incarcerated." He continued, "I understand that the president also feels some difficulty about this issue. I think it would be better to observe this matter further."

Regarding the pardon of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Kim said, "When I had meetings with economic organizations, they expressed similar views," and added, "I will report these matters to the president."

Lawmaker Jung pointed out that South Korea leads in technologies such as semiconductors and nuclear power, saying, "How can we fight the semiconductor war when the top frontline commander is in prison?"