When Asked About a Return to Politics,
"That Is Premature"
The Party for National Innovation expressed gratitude for President Lee Jaemyung's thoughtful decision to include former leader Jokuk in the Liberation Day special pardon, stating that they hope this will serve as an opportunity for national unity in South Korea.
Sunmin Kim, 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, the day the special liberation day pardon for former President Jokuk was officially announced. Photo by Yonhap News
Sunmin Kim, Acting President of the Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 11th, immediately after the announcement of the special pardon recipients. Kim stated, "The revolution of light enabled a change of government and the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, which made this possible."
Kim added, "With the pardon of former leader Jokuk, we hope this will bring comfort and unity to South Korea, which the regime of insurrection sought to undermine. We also bow our heads in deep gratitude to the scholars, political figures, religious leaders, and senior members of civil society who stood with us to restore the rights of those harmed by prosecutorial dictatorship and abuse of prosecutorial power."
Kim continued, "Labor union members such as the Construction Workers' Union and Cargo Solidarity, as well as former ruling party figures who suffered due to Yoon Suk-yeol's abuse of prosecutorial power, have also been granted pardons and reinstatement. We hope this will help heal the pain of all victims."
She went on to say, "Now, we have gained strong momentum for reforms that will fully restore democracy in South Korea and ensure the success of the people's government. We will do our utmost to fulfill the five major reforms we promised to the public?reforms of the prosecution, judiciary, Board of Audit and Inspection, and media, as well as the establishment of a special committee against unconstitutional activities?so that we can report these achievements to the people as a Chuseok homecoming gift."
With former leader Jokuk included as the first recipient of a pardon and reinstatement under the Lee Jaemyung administration, political circles are now focused on when he might return to central politics. Within and outside the party, there is speculation that he may prepare for a return to the party through a national convention scheduled for late October to early November. Some are even suggesting the possibility of him running in or leading next June's local elections.
When asked about the possibility of Jokuk's return to politics, Acting President Kim responded, "Speculation about running in the next election is premature. What matters now is not next year's election, but what we must do to resolve the legacy of insurrection and advance the reform agenda." She added, "We will take our time and address these matters internally."
Regarding the possibility of merging with the Democratic Party, she firmly stated, "That is far too premature to discuss."
Also present at the press conference were lawmakers Haemin Lee, Kyugeun Cha, Unha Hwang, and Kyungsook Kang, along with Acting President Kim. They plan to visit the site together on the day former leader Jokuk is released from the detention center.
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