Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo is reported to be included among the recipients of this year's August 15 Liberation Day special pardon, causing a stir in the political sphere.
Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who is departing, is greeting acquaintances at Incheon Airport on the 14th. Kim, who is studying abroad in the UK, briefly returned to attend the memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Kim Doo-kwan, a candidate for the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) classified as part of the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction, immediately expressed his support. In a statement on the 9th, Kim said, "I hope this special pardon signals the end of confrontational and retaliatory politics," emphasizing, "The reinstatement of former Governor Kim will not be a division within the Democratic Party but an opportunity to revive diversity and dynamism." Lawmaker Park Ji-won also posted on his SNS, saying, "This will be a great asset to the Democratic Party's human resources," and added, "I believe it will dispel criticisms of a Lee Jae-myung-centered one-man system."
On the other hand, the Democratic Party leadership showed a subtle reaction to the possibility of Kim's reinstatement. At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, the party leadership, including acting party leader and floor leader Park Chan-dae, did not mention Kim even once. After the meeting, Democratic Party spokesperson Hwang Jeong-ah told reporters that Kim's reinstatement was "naturally a matter to be welcomed," but also expressed regret that "many members of the state corruption faction were included in the special pardon list," adding, "If Kim's pardon is confirmed, the party will make an official statement at that time."
Kim was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court in July 2021 for his involvement in the Druking comment manipulation scandal. He was released in December 2022 through a special pardon with about five months remaining on his sentence. However, he was not reinstated, which meant he was barred from running for office until December 2027. If Kim is reinstated this Liberation Day, he will be eligible to run in the presidential election scheduled for March 2027. The final decision on the pardon and reinstatement will be made after the Cabinet meeting on the 13th. Kim, who went to Germany for studies, is reported to be returning by the end of this year.
The anti-Lee faction has been urging President Yoon Seok-youl to reinstate Kim. Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon posted on his Facebook on the 7th, saying, "I have urged the reinstatement of former Governor Kim," and added, "Politics is becoming increasingly polarized. I hope Kim's reinstatement can be the turning point." In June, when the Democratic Party attempted to amend its party rules to allow exceptions to the resignation deadline for the party leader, Governor Kim opposed the move, saying, "It is enough to cause misunderstandings that this is a tailored amendment for a specific individual," directly challenging candidate Lee.
In the political circles, it is generally predicted that Kim's reinstatement will not lead to a split within the Democratic Party. A key figure within the party said, "Rather, Kim's reinstatement could alleviate concerns that there is no clear presidential candidate other than Lee."
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