Opinions divided over pardons for ex-presidents

Former Presidents Lee Myung-bak, left, and Park Geun-hye / Korea Times file

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Opinions are divided regarding a hypothetical pardoning of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye who have been behind bars after being found guilty in respective corruption scandals, according to poll results released Friday.

The survey conducted by Gallup Korea on 1,000 adults nationwide from Tuesday through Thursday, showed that 48 percent of respondents opposed granting pardons to the two former presidents, while 44 percent were in favor. The remaining 8 percent did not give an answer

Lee is currently serving a 17-year prison term for embezzlement and bribery, while Park is serving 20 years for abuse of power, bribery and embezzlement.

The proportion of people in favor of providing amnesty to Lee and Park has increased.

When Lee Nak-yon, former prime minister and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader, mentioned the idea of President Moon Jae-in granting pardons to the two former presidents in January, opinion polls showed 54 percent were against the idea, while 37 percent supported it.

As he faced backlash from the ruling bloc, he shelved the pardon proposal.

Another survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute in August showed that 52.2 percent of people believe it is too early to discuss pardons for Lee and Park.

The pardon issue has recently reemerged after Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the main opposition People Power Party said he would grant pardons to the two if elected president. But Hong lost to former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl in the party's primary, Friday.