Former President Moon Jae-in Recommends "Cho Kuk's Study": "Deeply Saddened"

Cho Kuk Publishes "The Study of Cho Kuk - Letters Written from Prison"
Decision on Special Pardon to Be Made at Cabinet Meeting on August 12

Former President Moon Jae-in recommended "The Study of Cho Kuk," a book written by former Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk, stating, "Although I feel deeply sorry for the situation he is in, I am truly grateful that he is using this time to write a book."

A screenshot of a video from former Justice Party leader Cho Kuk's Instagram.

In a video posted on former leader Cho's social networking service (SNS) account on August 9, former President Moon recommended Cho's new book "The Study of Cho Kuk" to readers. Published on July 30, "The Study of Cho Kuk" is a collection of conversations between Cho and writer and literary critic Jung Yeoul, as well as writings Cho composed during his imprisonment. The subtitle is "Letters Written from Prison."

Former President Moon said, "Because this is a book that came out of the difficult circumstances of Cho being confined in a solitary cell, I want to say it is truly the result of a very precious effort," adding, "I hope 'The Study of Cho Kuk' becomes a study for all of us." He continued, "If that happens, I believe our society will become a better place to live, a world where people can truly live well. I hope many people will read it."

Former President Moon currently operates the Pyeongsan Bookstore in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province. During the Moon administration, Cho served as Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House and as Minister of Justice.

During his presidency, at a New Year's press conference in 2020, Moon stated, "I have a debt of heart to Cho Kuk." In an interview just before his retirement in early 2022, when asked if he still felt the same despite the controversy over his previous statement, he replied, "It is impossible not to feel regret."

Meanwhile, former leader Cho is reportedly included in this year's "8·15 Liberation Day Special Pardon." After being sentenced to two years in prison last December for conspiring in his child's university admissions fraud and for covering up a Blue House inspection, Cho has been serving his sentence for eight months at Seoul Southern Detention Center and other facilities. The final list of those to be granted special pardons will be confirmed at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for August 12.