The Innovation Committee Proposes 'Mass Pardon' for Lee Jun-seok, Hong Joon-pyo, and Others

Decision at the Top-Level Meeting on the 2nd of Next Month... Including Kim Jaewon and Kim Cheolgeun

The People Power Party Innovation Committee decided on the 30th to recommend to the party leadership a 'mass pardon' to lift the disciplinary actions against four party members, including former leader Lee Jun-seok and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo.

Professor In Yo-han of Yonsei University College of Medicine, appointed as the Innovation Committee Chair of the People Power Party, is answering questions from the press after meeting with key party officials at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Innovation Committee held a meeting at a cafe near the National Cemetery on the same day and passed this plan, Innovation Committee member Oh Shin-hwan said. The decision on whether to lift the disciplinary actions is scheduled to be made at the Supreme Council meeting on the 2nd of next month.

Previously, the Innovation Committee had been discussing a mass pardon as the 'top agenda item' for party unity. The pardon targets are expected to include the four currently under disciplinary suspension: former leader Lee, Mayor Hong, Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won, and former leader’s political affairs chief Kim Cheol-geun. Oh said, "This is not about naming specific individuals," adding, "It is up to the leadership to decide who will be included."

Former leader Lee was disciplined with a 1 year and 6 months suspension of party membership due to allegations of instructing evidence destruction related to sexual bribery and repeated public criticism of President Yoon Seok-yeol and the party. The original 6-month suspension was extended by an additional year, so the disciplinary action will be lifted in January next year. Mayor Hong received a 10-month suspension due to the 'flood golf' controversy, with the suspension lasting until May next year.

Supreme Council member Kim was suspended for one year due to a series of 'controversial remarks' regarding the Gwangju 5.18 and Jeju 4.3 incidents. His suspension period lasts until May next year. Former chief Kim received a two-year suspension related to the 'sexual bribery evidence destruction' allegations involving former leader Lee. The police decided not to indict him, citing 'no charges.' His suspension lasts until July next year.

However, those mentioned as pardon targets have expressed opposition. Mayor Hong said, "Even if they make a gesture to pardon me now after insulting me, would I accept that?" Former leader Lee also engaged in a verbal spat, saying, "Those who have trivialized ethics committee disciplinary actions are now treating this as some great benevolent measure."

Meanwhile, regarding the mention by Innovation Committee Chair In Yo-han in a media interview about a 'star-level senior lawmaker' from the Yeongnam region running for office in the Seoul metropolitan area, Oh said, "There has been no internal discussion," drawing a clear line.

On the issue of resetting relations between the party and the presidential office, he said, "We are an internal party innovation body. Saying the president should change something or the government should change something goes beyond that structure." Chair In also responded to reporters' questions by saying, "Everyone has their role. I do not overstep my authority."

The Innovation Committee plans to hold a meeting on the 3rd of next month to review the innovation proposals prepared under former leader Lee’s leadership that the party might accept. Lawmaker Choi Jae-hyung, who led the Innovation Committee at that time, is expected to attend the meeting.