◀ anchor ▶
It is reported that President Moon Jae-in has decided not to pardon former President Lee Myung-bak and former Gyeongnam governor Kim Kyung-soo.
◀ anchor ▶
It appears to have taken into account the negative public opinion and political burden of the amnesty.
This is Umji-in reporter.
◀ Report ▶
President Moon Jae-in has emphasized ‘judicial justice’ and ‘public opinion’ as the criteria for a special amnesty at the end of his term.
[문재인/대통령(지난달 25일)]
“I think that whether the people support or agree with us is still the criterion for (pardon) judgment that we must follow.”
In response to the public petition, he noted that “there are many people in favor of the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak,” and there were speculations inside and outside the Blue House that the amnesty could be decided on the pretext of ‘national unity’. It is said that he caught the strands by not doing it.
A high-ranking official at the Blue House said, “Considering procedures such as the Ministry of Justice’s review, amnesty is physically difficult in the current state.”
Within the Democratic Party, there are many negative reactions to the amnesty of former President Lee Myung-bak.
[송영길/전 민주당 대표(KBS 라디오)]
“Although it is a constitutional authority (the president’s), I think there will be considerable public backlash against the amnesty of Lee Myung-bak.”
People’s Power is criticizing former Gyeongnam governor Kim Kyung-soo for being mentioned as a target for ‘simultaneous amnesty’.
[김용태/국민의힘 최고위원]
“Amnesty is not 1+1, 2+1, just like buying things at a convenience store… The moment I think of it as an object of political bargaining, I think there is a lot of room for criticism.”
In the end, President Moon seems to have decided that pardoning anyone can only be a political burden in a situation where there is not enough public consensus.
It is also known that Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong will not be granted amnesty in accordance with the policy of minimizing amnesty for corruption and economic crimes.
As a result, whether or not to pardon former President Lee Myung-bak was handed over to the next president.
President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol has promised a pardon for former President Lee since his days as a candidate.
This is Umji-in from MBC News.
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