An: "The parole of Lee Seok-ki, convicted of plotting rebellion and incitement, while leaving a former president with poor health in prison is putting the cart before the horse"
Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 16th, advocating for national unity. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, criticized on the 24th the inclusion of former President Park Geun-hye in the special pardon list, saying "the intention seems somewhat suspicious."
On the same day, Ahn appeared on YTN Radio’s "Hwang Boseon’s Start of the Morning" and stated, "(The special pardon for former President Park) is a diversion to prevent public resistance against the parole of former Unified Progressive Party lawmaker Lee Seok-ki."
He argued, "For (former lawmaker Lee) to be paroled, he must show remorse, but there is none at all," adding, "Even though he does not meet the parole conditions, they are using the pardon of former President Park to divert public resistance."
He continued, "Previously, in the case of former President Lee Myung-bak, before requesting a pardon, I suggested leaving it to the next president and granting a suspension of sentence," explaining, "The conditions for suspension of sentence include old age and poor health, and since both former presidents meet these conditions, I proposed to President Moon to grant suspension of sentence on humanitarian and national unity grounds."
On the same day, Ahn also posted on his Facebook, saying, "I am speechless that President Moon’s gift is not the suspension of sentence for former presidents but the release of Lee Seok-ki," and criticized, "Giving freedom to Lee Seok-ki insulted the people who have protected liberal democracy."
He added, "President Moon granted parole to Lee Seok-ki, who was imprisoned on charges of forming an anti-state organization during his time as senior secretary for civil affairs under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, and has shown mercy again this time. I ask what hidden motives lie behind this," and pointed out, "I also question whether candidate Lee Jae-myung, who served as mayor of Seongnam, the stronghold of the so-called NL faction’s core group Gyeonggi Eastern Union, played a role."
Regarding the special pardon of former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, he said, "It’s simply a matter of matching pairs," and urged, "I hope President Moon, even with only six months left, sincerely considers how to achieve national unity, whether through parole or suspension of sentence, as one method."
He concluded by urging the release of former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, saying, "Releasing those charged with conspiracy and incitement of rebellion while keeping former presidents in poor health in prison is completely upside down."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
