Choi Kangwook, a former lawmaker who was granted a special pardon and reinstatement through the first Liberation Day special amnesty under the Lee Jaemyung administration, was appointed as the new head of the Education and Training Institute of the Democratic Party of Korea on August 18.
Spokesperson Boo Seungchan told reporters at the National Assembly that day, "Former lawmaker Choi has been appointed as the head of the Education and Training Institute of the Democratic Party." The head of the Education and Training Institute oversees education for party members of the Democratic Party.
Choi lost his parliamentary seat after the Supreme Court handed down a suspended prison sentence for issuing a false internship certificate to the son of Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. On August 15, he was granted a special pardon that nullified his conviction and restored his rights.
Regarding Choi's recent visit to the site of former leader Cho's release from prison, Deputy Spokesperson Boo said, "They were colleagues and have maintained a long-standing personal relationship, so he visited out of a sense of personal duty," adding, "It is difficult to interpret this as an official gesture from the Democratic Party."
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