"Restoring the Damage Caused by Abuse of Prosecutorial Power"
The Party for National Innovation expressed its gratitude for President Lee Jaemyung's thoughtful decision to include former leader Jokuk among the recipients of the Liberation Day special pardon, stating that it hopes this will serve as an opportunity for national unity in South Korea.
Kim Sunmin, Acting President of the Party for National Innovation, is expressing gratitude at a press conference held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 11th, when the special pardon for former President Cho Kuk on Liberation Day was officially announced. Photo by Yonhap News
Sunmin Kim, Acting President of the party, held a press conference at the National Assembly immediately after the announcement of the Liberation Day special pardon recipients on the afternoon of the 11th, saying, "The revolution of light brought about a change in government, and it was only possible because the Lee Jaemyung people's sovereignty government was inaugurated."
Kim went on to say, "With the pardon of former leader Jokuk, I hope this will become an opportunity for comfort and unity in South Korea, which the regime of insurrection tried to destroy. I also bow my head in gratitude to the leaders from academia, politics, religious circles, and civil society who joined us in the effort to recover from the abuses and dictatorship of the prosecution."
She continued, "The special pardon and reinstatement were granted to workers such as those from the Construction Workers' Union and Cargo Truckers Solidarity, as well as former ruling party figures, who suffered from the abuse of prosecutorial power under Yoon Sukyeol. I hope the pain of all victims will be healed."
She added, "Now, we have gained strong momentum for reforms that will support the full restoration of democracy in South Korea and the success of the people's sovereignty government. We will do our utmost to fulfill the five major reforms we promised to the people?including reforms of the prosecution, judiciary, Board of Audit and Inspection, and media, as well as the establishment of a Special Committee Against Anti-Constitutional Activities?so that we can report these achievements to the public as a Chuseok homecoming gift."
The government announced on this day that, ahead of the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, it will grant a special pardon effective on the 15th to 836,687 people, including former leader Jokuk. The list of those pardoned also includes his wife, former Dongyang University professor Jung Kyungshim, former lawmakers Choi Kangwook and Yoon Meehyang, and former Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Heeyeon. Many figures from the ruling camp, such as lawmaker Yoon Kunyoung, former Blue House civil affairs secretary Baek Wonwoo, and former Environment Minister Kim Eunkyung, were also included in the pardon.
From the opposition, former lawmakers Hong Moonjong and Jung Chanmin were among those granted special pardons.
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