President Yoon Suk Yeol granted a special pardon to 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 pardon 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 pardoned 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 pardon plan, which was endorsed by Yoon. In total, 1,219 people received a special pardon, 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 한국을 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 pardon, 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).”