Yoon Officially Proposes MB Pardon to Moon

Lunch meeting tomorrow without attendees
Yoon side "Hope it becomes an opportunity for national unity"
Likely to propose additional budget for COVID-19 response

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Na Ju-seok] President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has formalized a request for a pardon for former President Lee Myung-bak during his face-to-face meeting with President Moon Jae-in scheduled for the 16th. Since both President-elect Yoon and President Moon have expressed a commitment to 'national unity,' there is growing weight to the possibility that the pardon for the former president will be granted before the new administration takes office.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the president-elect, stated in a briefing on the 15th, "President-elect Yoon has long held the view of requesting a pardon for the former president," adding, "We hope that this meeting will serve as an opportunity for national unity and harmony." Jang Je-won, chief of staff for the president-elect, also told reporters that day, "The president-elect has continuously talked about such (pardon) matters."

With the president-elect's side formalizing the pardon proposal, interpretations have emerged that a consensus may have already been formed with the Blue House through behind-the-scenes contacts.

President Moon and President-elect Yoon will have lunch together without any attendants. Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi explained in a written briefing, "The lunch is scheduled to proceed without attendants to allow for candid conversation." It was also reported that the meeting will include a proposal for the supplementary budget for COVID-19.

On the same day, the transition committee announced additional appointments. Former Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok will serve as secretary of the Economic Subcommittee 1, with Seoul National University economics professor Kim So-young and Hongik University business administration professor Shin Sung-hwan appointed as committee members. For the Foreign Affairs and Security Subcommittee, former Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-han will serve as secretary, with former Presidential Strategic Planning Officer Kim Tae-hyo and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Deputy Chief Lee Jong-seop appointed as members. In the Political, Judicial, and Administrative Subcommittee, People Power Party lawmaker Lee Yong-ho will serve as secretary, and former National Assembly Vice Speaker Park Joo-sun has been appointed as the chair of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee.