Im Yi-ja, chair of the People Power Party's policy committee, warned on October 13 that granting a "tailored special pardon" to former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young could serve as a decisive catalyst for the collapse of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
During a countermeasure meeting for the National Assembly audit held at the National Assembly, Im stated that a special pardon for Lee would constitute a clear abuse of power, undermining the judicial system by privatizing the pardon authority.
He criticized, "How should we interpret the bizarre spectacle of a former vice governor publicly pressuring the president for release, as if demanding repayment of a debt, saying, 'I came in alone, so let me out'?"
Im further questioned, "What kind of critical weakness does President Lee have that allows a subordinate, currently imprisoned, to audaciously demand release? At this point, shouldn't the president clarify his position?"
He also raised concerns that the Lee Jae-myung administration has led the country into chaos over the past 500 days due to arrogance, incompetence, and confusion. He criticized the administration for failures in economic and trade policies that have resulted in a collapse of public livelihood and national interests, as well as failures in personnel management and the criminal justice system. He condemned the diplomatic and security disasters, including the deterioration of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and subservient inter-Korean relations, and called for a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle, restoration of the economy and rule of law, and normalization of diplomatic and security policies.
Jeong Hee-yong, the party's secretary-general, commented the previous day on remarks by Lee Seong-hoon, president of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), regarding the potential for a sharp drop in housing prices. He emphasized the need for practical and concrete measures rather than relying on vague optimism.
Jeong noted, "Apartment prices in Seoul have risen for 87 consecutive weeks, setting a record for the longest streak. Since the announcement of the October 15 measures last year, the increase in Seoul's rental prices has reached 9.96%. However, this year, LH's construction of public housing has only achieved 25.7% of its target of 51,783 units, with just 13,293 units completed."
He urged that the president of LH, responsible for public housing supply, should focus on timely housing provision rather than suggesting that people wait for a potential price drop. He called for expanded housing supply and measures to assist young and first-time homebuyers.
Meanwhile, floor leader Jeong Jeong-sik was absent from the meeting due to the schedule of the National Assembly audit for overseas diplomatic missions. The meeting was chaired by Im Yi-ja.
During a countermeasure meeting for the National Assembly audit held at the National Assembly, Im stated that a special pardon for Lee would constitute a clear abuse of power, undermining the judicial system by privatizing the pardon authority.
He criticized, "How should we interpret the bizarre spectacle of a former vice governor publicly pressuring the president for release, as if demanding repayment of a debt, saying, 'I came in alone, so let me out'?"
Im further questioned, "What kind of critical weakness does President Lee have that allows a subordinate, currently imprisoned, to audaciously demand release? At this point, shouldn't the president clarify his position?"
He also raised concerns that the Lee Jae-myung administration has led the country into chaos over the past 500 days due to arrogance, incompetence, and confusion. He criticized the administration for failures in economic and trade policies that have resulted in a collapse of public livelihood and national interests, as well as failures in personnel management and the criminal justice system. He condemned the diplomatic and security disasters, including the deterioration of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and subservient inter-Korean relations, and called for a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle, restoration of the economy and rule of law, and normalization of diplomatic and security policies.
Jeong Hee-yong, the party's secretary-general, commented the previous day on remarks by Lee Seong-hoon, president of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), regarding the potential for a sharp drop in housing prices. He emphasized the need for practical and concrete measures rather than relying on vague optimism.
Jeong noted, "Apartment prices in Seoul have risen for 87 consecutive weeks, setting a record for the longest streak. Since the announcement of the October 15 measures last year, the increase in Seoul's rental prices has reached 9.96%. However, this year, LH's construction of public housing has only achieved 25.7% of its target of 51,783 units, with just 13,293 units completed."
He urged that the president of LH, responsible for public housing supply, should focus on timely housing provision rather than suggesting that people wait for a potential price drop. He called for expanded housing supply and measures to assist young and first-time homebuyers.
Meanwhile, floor leader Jeong Jeong-sik was absent from the meeting due to the schedule of the National Assembly audit for overseas diplomatic missions. The meeting was chaired by Im Yi-ja.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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