Cho Kuk’s Pardon Immediately After the Presidential Election Raises Suspicions of a Backroom Deal
Ruling Party Expected to Keep Cho Kuk’s Political Moves in Check
Cheon Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, recently expressed suspicion that there may have been a backroom deal regarding the special pardon of Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. He suggested that the so-called pro-Moon (pro-former President Moon Jae-in) faction pressured President Lee Jaemyung, and that it would not be a welcome development for President Lee if Cho Kuk-who cannot be controlled-were to emerge as the next center of power.
On the 18th, during an appearance on SBS Radio’s “Kim Taehyun’s Political Show,” Floor Leader Cheon stated, “I suspect there was a backroom deal behind the pardon of former leader Cho Kuk.” He argued that the Cho Kuk Innovation Party did not field a candidate in the last presidential election and instead gave its full support to President Lee Jaemyung, and that as a result, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, former President Moon Jae-in, Kim Eo-jun, and other broadly defined pro-Moon forces likely pressured for the pardon.
He said, “Right after the presidential election, talk of pardoning Cho Kuk began circulating behind the scenes, and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party demanded it as if they had been waiting for it. The pardon was granted just three months later.” He added, “Conversely, if we imagine that Representative Lee Junseok were imprisoned, and the Reform New Party did not field a candidate, allowing the People Power Party to win, and then, after the election, Lee Junseok were pardoned, the Democratic Party would have claimed it was a political deal as well.”
Cheon also offered predictions about Cho Kuk’s future moves. There is speculation that Cho Kuk may run for mayor of Seoul, mayor of Busan, or for the Gyeyang-eul constituency. Cheon said, “People in the Democratic Party will not give in so easily. For example, in the case of the Busan mayoral race, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jae-soo is keeping a close watch, and for the Seoul mayoral race, there is a line of people in the Democratic Party who want the position. They will not hand it over to Cho Kuk easily.”
In conclusion, he said, “From President Lee Jaemyung’s perspective, he also needs to take steps to solidify his position, and it would not be pleasant for someone with a different style and who cannot be controlled to rise as the next center of power. Because of the judicial risks, he would want to establish a ‘Pro-Lee 2.0’ administration, rather than supporting an unpredictable figure.”
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