Yoon reinstates rights of liberal heavyweight, key figures in ex-president’s corruption scandal

Kim Kyoung-soo, former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, speaks to reporters in front of Changwon Prison in Changwon City in South Gyeongsang Province, Dec. 28, 2022. Newsis

President Yoon Suk Yeol restored the civil rights of former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo, Tuesday, on the occasion of Aug. 15 Liberation Day, reinstating his eligibility to run for a public post.

The decision to reinstate the rights of Kim, a prominent figure in the liberal bloc, was made despite opposition from some members of the ruling party. Critics argue that it is inappropriate to allow Kim, who was convicted and served a jail term for manipulating online opinions leading up to the 2017 presidential election, to run for public office again.

Yoon also granted the rights to several former senior presidential officials during the Park Geun-hye administration who were jailed in a massive corruption scandal involving the former president.

The Cabinet approved the reinstatement plan, which was endorsed by Yoon. In total, 1,219 people received a special pardon or reinstatement, including small business owners, self-employed individuals, and those convicted of crimes arising from financial difficulties.

"The government aims to overcome social conflict and promote national unity by pardoning key figures contributing to the national economy, as well as former high-ranking public officials and politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties, who have been punished for misconduct during their tenure but have long served the nation and society," the justice ministry said.

The most notable figure was Kim, a former lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and a close aide to former President Moon Jae-in. He was sentenced to two years in 2021 for manipulating public opinion in favor of Moon ahead of his presidential election. Kim was dismissed from his post right after the Supreme Court's ruling.

He was pardoned and released from prison in late 2022, but required a further reinstatement of his rights to be eligible for elections. With his full reinstatement set for Thursday, Kim will be eligible to run in the 2026 local elections and the 2027 presidential election.

"I sincerely apologize once again for causing concerns to many people due to my actions," Kim, who's currently staying in Germany, wrote on his social media, Tuesday. "I will look back on the path I have walked and take more time for reflection."

Kim mentioned that he will "carefully consider what role" he can play to contribute to society, prompting political observers to speculate that he may choose to reenter politics upon his return to Korea around the end of this year. His return is also anticipated to shift the dynamics within the DPK, which has been largely dominated by loyalists of former Chairman Lee Jae-myung, who is expected to be reelected as party leader later this month.

Within the ruling, conservative People Power Party (PPP), some members opposed Kim's reinstatement, claiming that he had not reflected on his wrongdoing.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said, "I think many people find it difficult to agree with this decision (of Kim's reinstatement)."

Dongkuk Steel Chairman Chang Sae-joo, left, and former senior presidential secretary Cho Yoon-sun / Yonhap

The list of the special reinstatement of rights also included key aides to former President Park Geun-hye. They served jail terms and were released earlier, but their rights had not been restored.

This group includes former senior presidential secretaries Cho Yoon-sun, An Chong-bum, and Hyun Ki-hwan. Notably, Cho, who served as senior presidential secretary for political affairs, was found guilty for her role in creating a blacklist of over 10,000 artists who were critical of the former president.

Also included is Won Sei-hoon, a former head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) under the Lee Myung-bak administration, who was involved in the public oinion manipulation case.

From the business sphere, Dongkuk Steel Chairman Chang Sae-joo and EcoPro founder and former Chairman Lee Dong-chae were granted special pardons, among other beneficiaries.