Yoon says pardoning ex-President Lee 'not an issue to talk about now'
President Yoon Suk-yeol
President Yoon Suk-yeol said Wednesday that a potential pardon for jailed former President Lee Myung-bak "is not an issue to talk about now."
Yoon made the remark to reporters upon arrival at the presidential office following news reports that Lee filed for a suspension of his sentence and could be included in beneficiaries of a presidential pardon that could be carried out to mark Aug. 15 Liberation Day.
"This is not an issue to talk about now," Yoon said when asked to comment on a pardon for Lee.
The remarks are seen as the president's intent to distance himself from the increasing discussions on a pardon for Lee within the ruling People Power Party.
They came as the prosecution is scheduled to begin its deliberation on Lee's application for a suspension of his sentence filed with a district prosecutors' office in Anyang, 23 kilometers south of Seoul, last week.
The 81-year-old Lee, now serving a 17-year prison sentence for corruption, reportedly filed for a suspension of his sentence, citing health issues, last Friday amid speculation he may be granted a special pardon on the occasion of National Liberation Day.
Lee served as president from 2008 to 2013. (Yonhap)