Kang Geum-sil: "Why Tell the Departing Moon Administration to Pardon MB?"

"What the Soon-to-be President Should Do" Sharp Critique

Kang Geum-sil, Chairperson of the Gangwon Cultural Foundation, commented on the pardon proposal for former President Lee Myung-bak. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Kang Geum-sil, chairman of the Gangwon Cultural Foundation and the first Minister of Justice under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, sharply criticized President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who is reportedly planning to recommend the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak (MB), saying, "Why is the outgoing government being told to pardon President Lee Myung-bak? I don't quite understand it."

On the 15th, Chairman Kang posted on her Facebook, saying, "The soon-to-be inaugurated new president should be the one to do it... Samiljeol (Independence Movement Day) has already passed," and added, "April 8th Buddha’s Birthday? The government that has already relinquished power should not exercise the privilege of pardoning, which is the ultimate privilege."

Earlier, there were speculations in political circles that President-elect Yoon might propose the 'MB pardon theory' during a luncheon meeting with President Moon Jae-in. However, the meeting scheduled for the 16th was canceled due to unfinished practical arrangements. Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi said in a written briefing that "the meeting schedule will be rescheduled as practical arrangements have not been completed," and added, "consultations at the working level will continue."

Within the Democratic Party, there are also criticisms that President-elect Yoon is shifting the responsibility for the pardon to the current administration. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-kwan said in an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "it is very inappropriate for the president-elect of the opposing party to make such a proposal to the sitting president," and added, "If he wants to grant a pardon, he should do so after taking office; in a way, it burdens the outgoing president."

Lawmaker Kim also mentioned the public's aversion to the pardon theory. He said, "In fact, the public tends to agree with pardoning those who committed minor crimes related to livelihood offenses and have served their sentences, but they are not readily agreeable to pardons granted for political reasons," and pointed out, "Moreover, broadly speaking, it undermines the separation of powers and the judiciary's judgment."