The People Power Party argued that a Cabinet meeting on the 12th, where the pardon status of former Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk and former lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang will be decided, should be broadcast live. The Cabinet meeting held on the 29th of last month was broadcast live in accordance with the wishes of President Lee Jae-myung.
Jeong Kwang-jae, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a commentary on the 10th, "If the pardons for Cho Kuk and Yoon Mee-hyang are honorable to the public, President Lee should allow the Cabinet meeting on the 12th to be broadcast live."
Spokesperson Jeong said, "The couple, who showcased the hypocrisy of the progressive camp known as 'Nero-nan-bul' (When I do it, it's romance; when others do it, it's infidelity), should not have been included in the pardon review from the beginning," adding that "the public's disappointment at the fact that a person who embezzled donations meant for the comfort women has made it onto the pardon list should be recognized."
He continued, "Even if the pardon power is a constitutional authority granted to the president, pardons should not be decided based on 'debts of the heart' or 'political considerations,'" emphasizing that "the former lawmaker is ridiculing the public by saying, 'Those who are cursing him are quite pitiful.'"
Spokesperson Jeong also said, "The sword is now entirely in President Lee's hands. If he is honorable in his decisions and does not want to offend history, he should direct that the Cabinet meeting on the 12th be broadcast live," adding that "the public has the right to know who supported the pardons for the two and what President Lee's thoughts are."
The Ministry of Justice's Pardon Review Committee reportedly confirmed on the 7th that former Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk and former lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang, as well as Choi Kang-wook, will be included as targets for special pardons and restoration on Liberation Day. The final decision on the pardon and restoration targets will be made at the Cabinet meeting on the 11th, chaired by President Lee.
Kang Yoo-jung, spokesperson for the presidential office, said at a briefing on the 9th, "I have not heard anything special regarding the pardons and reporting," adding that "the final list of pardon targets will likely emerge after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (the 12th)."