Shin Jangshik: "Only a big win for Lee Jaemyung will allow you to meet Cho Kuk"
Clarifies, "It was a comparison with a Kim Moonsu administration"
Lee Jaemyung's aide Kim Jiho: "No consideration of a pardon"
The Cho Kuk Innovation Party and the Democratic Party of Korea have expressed differing reactions regarding the possible pardon of Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. On May 27, Shin Jangshik, a lawmaker from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, explained during an interview on CBS Radio's "Park Jaehong's Hanpan Seungbu" that, "The reason I said during the candidate's campaign that 'if you want to meet former leader Cho as soon as possible, Lee Jaemyung (the Democratic Party of Korea candidate) must win by a large margin' is because under a Kim Moonsu administration, there will be no opportunity to meet Cho anytime soon."
Former leader Cho Kuk of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison on charges including admission fraud involving his children and covering up Blue House inspections, is seen waving to supporters in front of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, last December before being incarcerated. Photo by Yonhap News
On May 20, during a campaign rally in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, Shin stated, "The fastest way to meet former leader Cho Kuk, who is currently incarcerated, is to make Lee Jaemyung president," adding, "The Cho Kuk Innovation Party will stand at the forefront and remain with you until the very end to usher in the 'Lee Jaemyung presidency era.'"
Regarding this, Shin said, "After the presidential election, it is extremely important to restore the victims of prosecutorial dictatorship to their rightful positions," and added, "First and foremost, we must re-examine how the prosecution conducted its excessive investigation into former President Roh Moohyun and ensure that the prosecution itself is able to correct those actions." He continued, "There are also clear aspects in which former leader Cho and candidate Lee were unjustly indicted, and measures to normalize these cases are also necessary," emphasizing, "This is something that cannot be expected under a Kim Moonsu administration."
When the host asked whether 'restoring to their rightful positions' also implied a pardon, Shin replied, "That is possible. Ultimately, it is entirely up to the next president," expressing hope that if Lee is elected, former leader Cho could be pardoned.
Previously, Cho's spouse, former Dongyang University professor Kyungshim Jung, also posted a profile photo on social media reminiscent of a special pardon. The released poster featured the phrase, "Vote for No. 1 to meet Cho Kuk again," along with an image of Cho's back. This is interpreted to mean that by voting for candidate No. 1, Lee Jaemyung, people could meet former leader Cho again sooner.
However, Kim Jiho, former chief secretary for political affairs and a close aide to candidate Lee Jaemyung, drew a line during an interview on YTN Radio's "News FM Lee Ikseon Choi Sooyoung Issue & People." Kim stated, "We are grateful that the Cho Kuk Innovation Party has joined the Democratic Party's election committee to support candidate Lee," but added, "I believe Professor Jung's profile photo reflects a personal wish for her family." He emphasized, "So far, I have not heard of any discussion within candidate Lee's campaign regarding the pardon of any specific individual," and continued, "This is a matter to be discussed later, not something to be addressed during the election period. Our presidential candidate cannot possibly address every personal wish of family members."
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