Kim Dongyeon Calls for Special Pardon for Cho Kuk, Citing Family Destruction Under Yoon Administration

Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, on July 29 requested a special pardon for Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, from the Lee Jaemyung administration.

On this day, Governor Kim wrote on his social networking service (SNS), "I respectfully request a special pardon for former leader Cho Kuk," adding, "Former leader Cho Kuk suffered pain akin to the destruction of his family at the hands of the Yoon Sukyeol administration."

He continued, "The punishment was excessively harsh and severe, both by the standards of common sense and under the law," and added, "Now is the time for him to return to his family and to the people, and he should be given the opportunity to contribute to a new Republic of Korea."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim's post on his SNS on the 29th regarding the pardon of former Jo Guk, former leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party

Furthermore, he emphasized that "breaking the cycle of political retaliation carried out by the Yoon Sukyeol administration will be a significant step toward national unity."

Former leader Cho Kuk is currently incarcerated at Seoul Southern Detention Center. Woo Wonshik, Speaker of the National Assembly, met him directly through a special visitation (location change meeting), and there is significant public interest in whether he will be included in the Liberation Day special pardon.

In particular, voices from the political sphere, religious communities, and civic organizations are calling for the pardon and reinstatement of former leader Cho Kuk.