Moon, No 'End-of-Term Pardon' Expected... Considering 'Public Opinion'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in is unlikely to use the pardon card at the end of his term. As of the 2nd, just one day before the last Cabinet meeting of his term, he has not set a plan to carry out pardons. Although there is an option to hold an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, public opinion opposing pardons is strong.

President Moon is scheduled to preside over the final Cabinet meeting of his term on the 3rd, but as of the day before, no summons had been sent to the Ministry of Justice's Pardon Review Committee. For a pardon to be granted, it must go through the Ministry of Justice's Pardon Review Committee and be approved by the Cabinet meeting. Since the committee was not convened by the day before the Cabinet meeting, it is seen as difficult to carry out a final pardon. A senior Blue House official also stated that "there has been no official discussion."

Of course, an extraordinary Cabinet meeting could be held on the 6th to propose a pardon plan, but considering public opinion on pardons, making such a decision is not easy. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI) commissioned by TBS from the 29th of last month over two days, targeting 1,012 people nationwide aged 18 and older, opposition to pardoning former presidents was 51.7%, surpassing support at 40.4%.

Regarding other pardon candidates, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo had 28.8% support for a pardon and 56.9% opposition, with opposition opinions nearly double the support. For Jung Kyung-shim, former Dongyang University professor and spouse of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, support for a pardon was 30.5%, and opposition was 57.2%. On the other hand, among business figures, support for pardoning Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, was 68.8%, with opposition at 23.5%, nearly three times the support.

President Moon has repeatedly stated that he will make pardon decisions considering public opinion. At a press conference with reporters on the 25th of last month, he said, "I do not think pardons are a power the president can exercise at will" and "they should only be exercised to supplement judicial justice." Also, in response to a public petition on the 29th of the same month, he stated, "I will carefully consider judicial justice and public consensus before making a judgment."