Kang Deukgu, Who Recommended Cho Kuk's Pardon, Says "Current Behavior Is Bewildering... Needs Self-Restraint"

Kang Deukgu Urges Cho Kuk to Wait Humbly
Calls for More Time for Self-Restraint and Reflection
Concerns Over Public Perception of Cho's Recent Activities

Kang Deukgu, a member of the Democratic Party who officially recommended a special pardon for former lawmaker Cho Kuk (former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party) on the occasion of the August 15 Liberation Day, advised on the 21st, "I believe former lawmaker Cho needs a bit more time for self-restraint and reflection. I urge him to wait humbly for the right time."

Through a post on Facebook that afternoon, Kang stated, "In the future, in one way or another, former lawmaker Cho will find a role, but now is not the time," adding, "I sincerely ask this of former lawmaker Cho and those around him."

Kang pointed out, "It has only been a week since former lawmaker Cho was released through the Liberation Day special pardon. Yet, it feels as if several months have passed," and added, "Since his release, former lawmaker Cho has been continuously sending out messages through social media."

He continued, "He is said to be rejoining the Cho Kuk Innovation Party and taking on the role of head of the party's Innovation Policy Research Institute. There are even rampant reports about his potential candidacy in elections," and expressed concern, "I worry that such actions might make him appear to the public like a triumphant general returning from victory."

Kang also said, "As someone who visited former lawmaker Cho in prison and took the lead in recommending his pardon, I am bewildered by the current situation," and added, "I spoke about the pardon within the spirit of the times, which symbolize the restoration of democracy and the end of insurrection. If I am this confused, how confused must the public be?"

He further remarked, "Former lawmaker Cho was a victim of prosecutorial dictatorship, and his family was devastated. The punishment was excessively harsh," adding, "That is why the special pardon and restoration of rights were granted. However, that does not mean everything is justified."

He also emphasized, "At the very least, the current situation does not seem appropriate. It does not align with the general sentiment of the public," and reiterated his call for self-restraint and reflection, saying, "The timing in politics is determined by the will of the people."