Jeon Hyunhee: "On Including Cho Kuk in Liberation Day Pardon? I Agree on the Need to Normalize Political Victims"

"Jung Chungrae's Election as Party Leader Reflects Members' Desire for New Reforms"

Jeon Hyunhee, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the election of Jung Chungrae as the new party leader with a 61.74% vote share, saying, "It seems to reflect the will of the people and party members who desire new and strong reforms."

On August 4, appearing on SBS's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show," Jeon stated, "While there is a desire for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration, I believe there was also a wish among party members for even stronger leadership to bring an end to the internal unrest."

She continued, "Representative Jung often says, 'I can tell what President Lee is thinking just by looking at his eyes,' and has always said, even in private, 'I will support the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration.'" She added, "In this respect, the relationship between the party and the government will remain a stable and cooperative one."

Chun Hyunhee, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

Jeon also addressed Jung's pledge to pursue prosecution, judicial, and media reforms before Chuseok, stating, "Not only the party leader but also the Democratic Party leadership and lawmakers have a very strong will for reform, so the party's position is to pursue it unwaveringly." She added, "The party will push forward with reforms, while the president will focus on people's livelihoods and the economy, proceeding on a two-track approach."

Regarding the failure to execute the arrest warrant for former President Yoon Sukyeol, she said, "It is most desirable for a former president to cooperate with the enforcement of the law," and criticized, "It is inappropriate for someone who has served as Prosecutor General and even as President to resist the law in this way." She continued, "If he feels wronged, he should confidently appear before a special prosecutor and state his position. Refusing to comply with the law itself is bad behavior that gives the public the impression that he still considers himself part of a privileged class."

On whether Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, will be included in the upcoming Liberation Day special pardon, she said, "The various prosecutions against former leader Cho are the result of political oppression by the Yoon Sukyeol administration." She continued, "While I agree that measures are needed to normalize the situation for those who were politically victimized by the previous administration, pardons are the exclusive authority of the president," adding, "Although a pardon is necessary, I think the timing and public opinion should be considered, and the decision should be left to the president."