On the 11th, political reactions sharply diverged regarding the inclusion of several pro-government figures in the government's special pardon list for Liberation Day, including former Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk and former lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang. The Democratic Party of Korea evaluated it as an attempt to restore the lives and dignity of victims who suffered from the oppressive investigations of a prosecutorial dictatorship. On the other hand, the opposition People Power Party strongly condemned it as the worst political pardon that tarnished the significance of the 80th anniversary of liberation.
Park Soo-hyun, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a briefing, "The exercise of the right to pardon is a unique authority guaranteed by the Constitution for the president," adding, "However, President Lee Jae-myung seems to have carefully considered the public's expectations and the demands of the times."
In particular, regarding this pardon, he claimed, "As a government that needs to end the rebellion, we aimed to restore the lives and dignity of the victims who suffered from the oppressive investigations of a prosecutorial dictatorship," noting, "These individuals have had to endure enormous trials and suffering due to the unjust investigations and indictments of the political prosecution. It is natural that, alongside restoring the political prosecution to its proper place, the victims of the political prosecution also regain their dignity."
He also remarked, "There will be voices of both 'support' and 'criticism,'" stating, "I will cherish every voice that is raised."
In contrast, the People Power Party condemned, "It will remain a stigma of the Lee Jae-myung administration."
Park Sung-hoon, the senior spokesperson, criticized in a comment that, "The list of the first special pardon under the Lee Jae-myung government includes names such as Cho Kuk, Yoon Mi-hyang, Choi Kang-wook, Yoon Geon-young, Baek Won-woo, and Kim Eun-kyung, all key figures from the Moon Jae-in administration and the pro-Moon faction. All these crimes, including entrance exam fraud, suppression of investigations, embezzlement of comfort women fund, and blacklisting allegations, have received a pardon."
He continued, "The pardon decision made by President Lee today has destroyed Korea's fairness and justice, trampled on the authority of the judiciary, and resulted only in outcomes that the public cannot accept," further asserting, "The 'river of Cho Kuk' and the 'swamp of Yoon Mi-hyang' will return to trap President Lee Jae-myung like a direct hit."
Criticism from individual lawmakers also continued. Na Kyung-won, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, pointed out, "Today's pardon is an event that subverts the law for political gain and openly betrays public trust." Another party member, Jeong Yeon-wook, stated, "This pardon is not forgiveness. It is, in effect, a declaration of complicity," condemning, "A pardon that tramples public common sense will undoubtedly be punished."
Earlier, the Ministry of Justice announced that it would carry out a special pardon for 836,687 people, including former Representative Cho, effective on the 15th.
The list of politicians eligible for pardon includes not only former Representative Cho but also his wife Jeong Kyung-shim, former lawmaker Choi Kang-wook, who was convicted of providing a false internship verification to Cho's son, and former lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, who was convicted of embezzling donations for comfort women victims. Additionally, figures from the ruling party, such as lawmaker Yoon Geon-young, former Blue House Chief of Civil Affairs Baek Won-woo, and former Minister of Environment Kim Eun-kyung, were also prominently listed. Opposition figures, including Hong Moon-jong and Jeong Chan-min, were also included.