Mixed reactions to Aug. 15 pardon

The ruling and opposition parties welcomed in general the massive pardon granted on the occasion of Liberation Day Aug. 15, but showed delicate differences in their positions. Ruling Millennium Democratic Party spokesman Park Byeong-Seog released a statement Monday in which he expressed hopes that Korean society will move closer toward reconciliation through the special pardon, which is unprecedented in scale, and the restoration of civil rights.

The opposition Grand National Party (GNP) also released an official statement cautiously welcoming the special presidential amnesty, in which its lawmakers, Lee Myung-Bak and Hong Joon-Pyo, are included. But GNP deputy spokesman Chang Kwang-Pyo pointed out in the statement that the government should strictly refrain from granting a "strategically" pardon.

Upon learning that Kim Hyun-Chul, second son of former president Kim Young-Sam, was pardoned, Rep. Park Chong-Ung, ex-presidential spokesman, showed no particular reaction, indicating the feelings of the former president.

Rep. Park stated that the ex-president`s side had never asked for the amnesty and that it is of no significance for him to be pardoned at this juncture, expressing misgivings with the ruling camp¡¯s belated pardon of the junior Kim.

Meanwhile, former lawmakers Lee Ki-Moon and Park Kye-Dong, who are also included in the list of pardoned, contended that they were unduly convicted through wrongful criminal charges. Lee Myung-Bak and Lee Ki-Moon expressed their intentions to resume political activity if conditions are favorable.