Cho Kuk, included in Liberation Day Special Pardon Review
Only President Lee Jae-myung’s Decision Remains
People Power Party Says “Is Politics Just a Show?”
The People Power Party expressed their discontent upon learning that Cho Kuk, the former representative of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is included in the list for review for the upcoming August 15th Liberation Day special pardon. They questioned whether a pardon is appropriate after only seven months of detention following five years of trials.
Sohn Eon-seok, the acting chairman and floor leader, after a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly, stated, “If former Representative Cho is included in the pardon list, it is a significant mistake, and we strongly condemn it.” He emphasized that “the Liberation Day pardon should focus on livelihood offenders who can promote national unity and harmony, yet including Cho, who has been the subject of public criticism, evokes anger from the public.”
Ju Jin-woo, a People Power Party presidential candidate, commented on Facebook, “They plan to pardon Former Minister Cho, and President Lee Jae-myung seems determined to provoke public anger. It was predictable since Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho took the hit for it.” He added, “Former Representative Cho has only been detained for about six months. Admission fraud is a serious crime that crushes young people’s dreams and prevents fair competition. It seems like a calculated settlement for helping the president’s election.”
Former spokesperson Park Sang-soo expressed skepticism on Facebook, saying, “Isn’t politics just a show at this point? Five years of investigation and trial for Cho, and just seven months detained before a pardon. He could become a prominent presidential candidate for the Democratic camp.” He questioned, “What is the purpose of the law, and who teaches justice at universities? Law and order should be established by being outraged by crime regardless of factional lines, but political infighting, trapped in factional logic, makes it seem like that path is far off. Must we deny fairness and common sense like this?”
According to political circles, former Representative Cho is included in the list for review by the Ministry of Justice’s Pardon Review Committee set to meet at 2 PM. Should the committee recommend Cho for pardon and restoration of rights, Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho will report the result to the president. The special pardon list will then go through deliberation and resolution at a scheduled cabinet meeting on August 12th for final confirmation. The inclusion of Cho on the review list signals a high possibility of proceeding with the pardon, as it reflects the president’s intention.
Kang Yoo-jung, the presidential spokeswoman, during a morning briefing, responded to a question about the inclusion of Cho in the pardon list, saying, “We know the Ministry of Justice’s Pardon Review Committee will meet (at 2 PM), and we can ascertain the subjects of the pardon after the meeting. The final pardon decisions will go through the cabinet meeting before an official announcement is made.” She added, “Final decisions involving the president’s exercise of pardon rights will be made, but until then, we can’t be definite. Throughout the cabinet meeting and subsequent decision-making process, we will also not know the confirmed list until its announcement.”
Meanwhile, former representative Cho, convicted by the Supreme Court to a two-year prison term and a 6 million won penalty, had his sentence finalized on December 12, 2024. This occurred nearly five years after his indictment in December 2019 and roughly 10 months after his appellate judgment. Due to the delayed trial, Cho held office as a lawmaker for about six months. He was detained at the Seoul Detention Center on December 16 of the same year, with his expected release date slated for December 15, 2026.