Gukhwan Han Dong-hoon expresses opposition to the presidential office,
attempts to disrupt the power structure considered as a check to the power bloc, concern over the possibility of shaking the ruling solo regime, focusing on highlighting the contributions of Lee Jae-myung in an uncomfortable sentiment,
Kim Kyung-soo, a potential presidential candidate and former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, has become a hot potato in the political sphere as he was chosen as a recipient of the Independence Restoration Lottery on August 15. With the opposition party expressing opposition to the lottery, a new conflict has emerged between the presidential office and the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction.,
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, ‘Kim Kyung-soo, who received a prison sentence in the ‘Drum King Comment Manipulation’ case, has sparked controversy as he became a recipient of the Independence Restoration Lottery on August 15. In the ruling party, there is once again a conflict brewing as the leader of the main opposition, Han Dong-hoon, expresses his opposition to the lottery, questioning whether it infringes on the president’s exclusive authority.’,
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, ‘In the Democratic Party, the possibility of the comeback of Kim, a ‘pro-Moon Jae-in’ deficit, has led to different reactions within the ‘pro-Lee Jae-myung’ and ‘anti-Lee Jae-myung’ factions. Kim’s political resurgence is closely linked to not only the rift within the Democratic Party under the ruling solo regime of Lee Jae-myung but also the future presidential power structure.’,
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, ‘On the 10th, the leader of the main opposition party stated through party officials, “Many people will not empathize with granting political rights to someone who has not reflected on destroying democracy crimes.”‘,
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, ‘Earlier, on the 8th, the Ministry of Justice decided on the list of recipients for the ‘Independence Restoration Special Pardon and Lottery,’ which includes Kim. The Independence Restoration Special Pardon and Lottery will be presented at the Cabinet meeting on the 13th. Although Kim was exempted from serving the remaining five months of imprisonment following his final appeal at the Supreme Court in 2021 for the Drum King case, he was not relieved of the lottery.’,
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, ‘Regarding the opposition stance of the leader of the main opposition party, a presidential office official stated, “Pardons and lotteries are the president’s exclusive authority,” adding, “No decision has been made yet.” The president’s authority drew a line, and the leader of the main opposition expressing his opposition is interpreted as revealing an uncomfortable sentiment.’,
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, ‘In relation to this, a ruling party official mentioned on the 11th, “It was decided to pardon Kim in December 2022, and it was decided to separate the lottery to not affect the 2024 general elections,” indicating a high possibility that President Yoon will review Kim’s lottery at the Cabinet meeting on the 13th. Some in the ruling party see the leader of the main opposition as intending to influence the presidential office’s lottery movements to exert influence on the future presidential power structure and have sent a check through the expressed opposition.’,
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, ‘While the Democratic Party welcomed Kim’s lottery, there are significant divergences among factions. The ‘pro-Roh Moo-hyun’ and ‘pro-Moon Jae-in’ factions, now minority factions due to the dominance of the ‘anti-Lee Jae-myung’ faction, greatly appreciated Kim’s lottery, stating that it will be an opportunity to preserve the party’s diversity.’,
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, ‘In contrast, the ‘pro-Lee Jae-myung’ faction is showing a guarded attitude towards Kim’s lottery. The prevailing situation is that of a solidification of the ‘Lee Jae-myung unilateral regime,’ but there is a possibility that Kim may emerge as an alternative if the situation changes, such as the visibility of Lee’s legal risks. Previously, the chairman of the ‘pro-Lee Jae-myung’ faction, Jung Sung-ho, stated, “There is a high possibility that President Yoon will use the pardon card for opposition division.” In the local primaries held the day before for the election of party leaders and top executives, when Kim Doo-kwan, a candidate for party chairman, mentioned Kim as a potential presidential candidate, pro-Lee faction members showed strong opposition.’,
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, ‘As the view that the ‘pro-Lee Jae-myung’ faction is checking Kim’s lottery spreads, the former leader reportedly conveyed his agreement to the lottery during a reception with President Yoon in April, but this was denied by the ruling party. A party official stated, “At the meeting between President Yoon and the former leader, Kim’s lottery was not discussed at all.” The former governor, who is staying in Germany after passing through the UK, plans to return to Korea at the end of the year.’,
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, ‘Meanwhile, the list of recipients for the Independence Restoration Special Pardon and Lottery this Liberation Day includes former Blue House Secretary for Civil Affairs under the Park Geun-hye government Cho Yoon-sun, former Deputy Head of Policy Coordination Hyun Ki-hwan, and former Director of the National Intelligence Service under the Lee Myung-bak government Won Se-hoon.’,
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, “Cho, who was sentenced to one year and two months in prison for the ‘Cultural Blacklist’ case, completed his sentence during his detention period and was excluded from the New Year’s special pardon list in February this year. Hyun Ki-hwan, who was imprisoned for the ‘White List’ case, and An Jong-beom, involved in the ‘state affairs corruption’ case, are also on the list. The final pardon and lottery list will be confirmed through a resolution at the Cabinet meeting on the 13th. This special pardon marks the fifth under the Yoon Suk-yeol government.”‘,
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