Moonsoo Kim Strongly Criticizes President Lee: "Divisive Politics of Fear... Cho Jokuk Over National Dignity"

"Claiming to Stand for Human Rights, But Only Protecting His Own Side"
Backlash Over Pardons Continues... Approval Ratings Plummet

Moonsoo Kim, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, strongly criticized President Jae Myung Lee's special pardon on Liberation Day for former Joguk Innovation Party leader Jokuk Cho. Kim described this as "the true face of fear-driven politics," directly challenging the values of 'human rights' and 'rule of law' that President Lee has promoted.

In a Facebook post on the 16th, Kim referred to President Lee as "the grand master of divisive, fear-driven politics," and argued, "(President Lee) presents himself as a 'human rights lawyer,' but in reality, he is not."

Moonsoo Kim Strongly Criticizes President Lee: "Divisive Politics of Fear... Cho Jokuk Over National Dignity"

Regarding the special pardon for former leader Cho, Kim pointed out, "As soon as he became president, he released Jokuk Cho and his wife Jung Kyungshim, both of whom had received finalized prison sentences, in a celebratory fashion, while at the same time cruelly insisting on the simultaneous detention of a former president and his spouse whose sentences had not yet been finalized." Kim further criticized, "Protecting Jokuk Cho, who was convicted of admissions fraud, was considered more important than upholding the dignity of the nation."

Kim also claimed, "The special prosecutor excessively handcuffed and placed electronic anklets on the former president, and even used excessive physical force to hospitalize them, committing brutal violations of human rights." He went on to say, "Law enforcement that serves only one's own side-this is the true face of fear-driven politics that seeks to consume the Republic of Korea." Kim also appealed, "Let us unite with the international community and stand against Jae Myung Lee's politics of fear."

Previously, former leader Cho had been convicted and imprisoned on charges including admissions fraud involving his children and obstruction of a Blue House inspection, but was pardoned and had his rights restored through President Lee's Liberation Day special pardon, leading to his release on August 14.