Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party who ran in the party's national convention leadership race, protested to President Lee Jae-myung on the 15th at the Liberation Day celebration for granting a pardon to former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and former lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang.
During the Liberation Day celebration marking the 80th anniversary held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno, Seoul, Ahn stood up while President Lee was giving his congratulatory speech and unfolded a placard that read 'Opposition to the pardons for Cho Kuk and Yoon Mi-hyang.'
Ahn conveyed his protest to President Lee while standing until the congratulatory speech was over. A man dressed in a black suit approached as if to restrain Ahn, and it was reported that an official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety persuaded Ahn to lower the placard.
Earlier, after the special pardon list for Liberation Day was announced, Ahn wrote on Facebook on the 12th, addressing President Lee, 'Is this really the Republic of Korea, which ignores the Constitution and destroys the rule of law?' He also asked, 'How will we explain the pardons for Cho Kuk and Yoon Mi-hyang, which are worse than being a pardon-begger, to the rising youth and future generations?'
On the same day, Ahn posted a photo on Facebook showing President Lee passing by him while he held a placard reading 'Opposition to the pardons for Cho Kuk and Yoon Mi-hyang.' He remarked, 'Granting a pardon to Yoon Mi-hyang, who embezzled funds meant for the comfort women, is an act of treason that tarnishes the light of liberation.'