Former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young, whose prison sentence was confirmed due to the SSANGBANGWOOL illegal remittance case to North Korea, has requested a pardon from President Lee Jae-myung, drawing strong criticism from People Power Party lawmakers Kim Gi-hyun and Na Kyung-won. The two lawmakers defined the former vice governor's request as a virtual threat to the president.
The former vice governor, after the Supreme Court confirmed a sentence of 7 years and 8 months in prison, a fine of 250 million won, and a confiscation order of 325.95 million won, pleaded on Facebook on the 11th for members and supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Rebuilding Korea Party to participate in a signature campaign requesting his and former Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk’s and former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil’s pardons and restoration of rights.
He demanded a special pardon and restoration of rights from President Lee, stating, "It is time to restore the rightful place for citizens who are suffering from an unjust prison sentence due to the oppression of the prosecution's dictatorial regime."
In response, on the 14th, Representative Kim Gi-hyun pointed out on his Facebook that "it seems a white flag will soon be raised in all national prisons," adding that "all inmates will demand pardons, claiming they are wronged."
Representative Kim criticized, "It has become a lawless land where the pardon and restoration of criminals who have committed serious crimes is openly discussed just ten days after the regime change." He stated that the former vice governor’s message, that if he is not pardoned by the upcoming Constitution Day in a month, he would reveal all truths, was a form of threat.
Representative Na Kyung-won also pointed out on Facebook that "Lee Hwa-young’s request for a pardon is a blatant request for a judicial transaction towards the president and an effective threat."
Na noted that the message was a signal that if he is not pardoned, everything will be revealed, and stressed that if President Lee pardons Lee Hwa-young, it will appear as a confession that he is ultimately responsible for the illegal remittance to North Korea. He also expressed concerns that it could send a negative signal to the international community by implying the government is condoning violations of UN sanctions against North Korea.