[Independence Day Pardon] 'Livelihood' Amnesty, but... Even Ruling Party Emergency Committee Chair Finds It 'Regrettable' (Comprehensive)

Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics, who was reinstated through the special pardon on August 15 Liberation Day, is moving at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Yoon Suk-yeol has carried out his first special pardon focusing on pardoning businesspeople. However, the exclusion of politicians from the pardon has drawn some regretful voices even within the ruling party regarding national unity.

On the 12th, Joo Ho-young, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly about the August 15 special pardon, "I have previously expressed and still hold the hope that many politicians would be included for the sake of national unity," adding, "It is regrettable that it falls short of expectations for national harmony."

This expressed disappointment over the exclusion of politicians such as former President Lee Myung-bak and former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo from the pardon list.

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu from the People Power Party, also criticized on his Facebook, saying, "This August 15 special pardon, judged by the prosecution's standards, is nothing more than a bland, practical pardon with no impact," and "It was a good opportunity for a positive turnaround, which is unfortunate."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party evaluated the August 15 special pardon as an effort to revitalize the livelihood economy.

Park Hyung-soo, the party’s floor spokesperson, stated in a commentary on the 12th, "This special pardon is an active expression of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s will to overcome the economic crisis, revitalize the livelihood economy, promote labor-management unity, and care for socially vulnerable groups."

He emphasized that including major businesspeople in the pardon provides an opportunity to contribute to overcoming the economic crisis. Additionally, pardons were granted to small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners to boost the foundation of the livelihood economy, as well as to those with construction licenses engaged in direct economic activities, private freight and passenger transport licenses, livelihood fishermen, and those subject to administrative sanctions on driver's licenses.

Park said, "I sincerely hope this special pardon becomes a catalyst for overcoming the economic crisis and a beacon of hope for social integration, and that it brings hopeful news to the people exhausted by COVID-19, the heatwave, and recent heavy rain damage."