Woo Sangho Conveys Former President Moon Jaein's Opinion
During Visit to Pyeongsan Village for National Appointment Ceremony Invitation
Former President Moon Jaein has conveyed his opinion to the presidential office that Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, should be granted a pardon and reinstatement of rights.
Former President Moon Jaein is speaking with National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik at the National Assembly on the 25th. On this day, former President Moon visited the National Assembly for the first time since leaving office to attend the 7th anniversary ceremony of the Panmunjom Declaration. April 25, 2025 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
According to the presidential office and other sources on August 6, former President Moon expressed this view to Woo Sangho, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, who visited Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, to deliver an invitation to the National Appointment Ceremony scheduled for August 15.
Former President Moon asked Secretary Woo, "Will there be a pardon and reinstatement this time?" Secretary Woo reportedly replied that a decision had not yet been made regarding pardons for politicians. Former President Moon then said, "If there is a pardon for politicians, shouldn't former leader Cho be included as well?" Secretary Woo responded, "I will convey your opinion," according to reports.
President Lee, who has been on summer vacation since August 4, is deliberating over the selection of candidates for a special pardon in commemoration of the August 15 Liberation Day. As this will be the first special pardon since President Lee took office, it carries significant meaning. In particular, it is reported that he is carefully considering whether to include politicians in the pardon.
Former leader Cho served as the first Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs and as Minister of Justice under the Moon Jaein administration, but was sentenced to two years in prison on charges including college admissions fraud involving his children, and was incarcerated in December last year. Demands for his pardon have been raised by some in the Cho Kuk Innovation Party and certain members of the Democratic Party, as well as from religious and civil society groups, who have argued that former leader Cho is a victim of prosecutorial overreach by the Yoon Sukyeol administration and that a pardon is necessary.
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