MB's Sentence Suspension: Ruling Party Says "Late but Relieved," Opposition Party "No Comment"

Pro-Administration Faction: "It Should Have Been Done by Previous Government... Pardon Must Be Granted"
Justice Party: "Firmly Oppose Anything Leading to Pardon"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] The People Power Party stated that former President Lee Myung-bak’s temporary release due to a three-month suspension of sentence execution is “belated but fortunate.”

On the 28th, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook, “It is a national misfortune that an elderly former president suffering from illness is imprisoned,” adding, “This court decision to suspend the execution of the sentence is a resolution for national unity.” He further stated, “I hope we now refrain from extreme confrontations based on factionalism and move forward on the path to preparing a new future.”

The pro-Lee faction expressed expectations for a future pardon of the former president. According to Yonhap News, Lee Jae-oh, senior advisor of the People Power Party, said, “Ultimately, what should have been resolved during the Moon Jae-in administration is being untied by the Yoon Seok-youl administration.”

Assemblyman Jeong Un-cheon also said, “(Former President Lee) should have been pardoned together when former President Park Geun-hye was pardoned, but it is very regrettable that such a decision was not made,” adding, “Toward the end of an administration, it is a virtue to release imprisoned former presidents for the sake of national unity, but it is very regrettable that even in that process, former President Park and former President Lee were divided.”

Regarding this, the Democratic Party has not issued a separate statement. According to Yonhap News, the Democratic Party reportedly said, “We have decided not to comment on this matter.” Amid mixed currents within the party concerning a pardon following the suspension of sentence execution, it is interpreted that the party decided not to take an official stance considering the complex internal atmosphere.

The Justice Party strongly opposed the progression from suspension of sentence execution to a pardon. Spokesperson Lee Dong-young said in a statement, “We are seriously concerned that President Yoon might use today’s suspension of sentence execution decision as a pretext to bring up the ‘MB pardon’ again,” urging, “Although the power of pardon is the president’s inherent authority, it must be exercised with restraint so as not to violate judicial justice and the rule of law.”