Political Fallout Spreads Over Lee Hwa-young's Pardon Demand, Security and Diplomacy Also Under Fire

Lee Hwa-young, former Gyeonggi Provincial Deputy Governor for Peace Affairs, is preparing a second statement demanding a special pardon on Christmas. Critics say this reveals that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, has lost control of the situation.

Parole and special pardon differ in nature: parole can be decided by the Ministry of Justice once the inmate has served part of the sentence and meets practical requirements such as good conduct, so it involves comparatively little political judgment. A special pardon, by contrast, rests entirely on a political decision.

Lee Hwa-young's side first sought parole, which was not accepted, and now appears to be shifting to a special pardon that would require only Lee Jae-myung's decision. This is read as a move that could leave Lee Jae-myung personally bearing the legal risks related to Lee Hwa-young.

There is a possibility that Lee Hwa-young could exploit internal conflict within the progressive camp to make revelations. Analysts suggest that as he focuses on coverage related to himself from prison, he may feel betrayed each time reports highlight unfavorable comparisons, such as the fairness issue with Kim Yong and Jeong Jin-sang, figures tied to the Daejang-dong case, and decide to make revelations.

Lee Hwa-young is now in a position to respond more aggressively toward Lee Jae-myung than before. Some argue that Rep. Kim Han-gyu's remark that Lee Hwa-young was detained on bribery charges and that parole would be difficult felt insulting to him. Some also read this as fueling pressure from the pro-Moon camp on Lee Jae-myung.

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, worried that Lee Jae-myung's trial could turn chaotic when it resumes, is calling for a preemptive impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. Kim stressed that rather than merely calling for resignation, impeachment should be pursued through action.

However, an impeachment attempt against the chief justice carries heavy political costs, and critics say the Constitutional Court is unlikely to uphold the impeachment of a Supreme Court chief justice. Some forecast that the impeachment process would take at least several months and could trigger large-scale public protests.

Kim Eo-jun's argument is read as a product of a sense of crisis over the possibility of a change of government. It is drawing attention that even Kim, a central figure in the progressive camp, is seriously recognizing the possibility of Lee Jae-myung's trial resuming.

Lee Hwa-young's side's retrial filing is analyzed as political pressure demanding a pardon from Lee Jae-myung rather than an attempt to directly involve the judiciary. The prevailing view is that the retrial request is very unlikely to be accepted.

The retrial press conference is widely read as a "signal" demanding a pardon from Lee Jae-myung in effect. Lee Hwa-young is applying political pressure on Lee Jae-myung through his lawyer, and some claim this card was played to contain the situation after the Democratic Party's visit.

Even if the retrial goes ahead, it is nearly impossible for Lee Jae-myung to intervene and move the judiciary. The dominant analysis is that Lee Hwa-young's retrial request is meant to send the message that he is serving time and Lee Jae-myung should hand over a pardon.

The ROK-US Combined Forces Command deputy post has been run in acting status for more than two months, and reports say the successor, originally a two-star general, has been downgraded to one star. This is read as a reduction in the status of the combined forces.

Foreign media analysis suggests the official in charge of Asia-Pacific security may shift from the current ROK-US Combined Forces Commander to the commander of US forces in Japan based in Okinawa. This has raised serious concern that the center of South Korea's security could move toward Japan.

This situation is pointed out as a serious threat to South Korea's defense capability and security status. Some also argue that even lawmakers with military backgrounds in the Democratic Party recognize the situation as a serious problem but remain silent.

North Korea is accelerating fortification of its border not only in the eastern front but also along the western coast, and continuous explosions are reportedly heard at the Han River estuary. This indicates that North Korea is expanding its presence at the MDL (Military Demarcation Line) and coastal zones and continuing attempts to encroach on South Korean territory.

With the September 19 military agreement effectively neutralized, critics say the military is failing to properly use active response measures, such as aimed fire following warning shots, against North Korean provocations. The military argues for consultations because it interprets the MDL differently, but critics point out that North Korea is unlikely to comply.

Even after South Korea itself removed non-physical measures such as loudspeakers aimed at North Korea, military response is essential to halt and deter North Korean provocations. The absence of properly executed warning shots and of a next-stage response such as aimed fire is being criticized as a helpless response to territorial incursion.

Critics argue that showcasing personal ties, such as golf with former US President Trump, cannot resolve national security and economic problems. Trump is known as a figure who treats investment in the US and security as bargaining conditions.

It was reported that former President Trump, noting that criticism of South Korea's hasty announcement also exists within the US, said that "if you do not accept, you will pay a bigger price." This leads to criticism that the Lee Jae-myung government does not fully grasp the seriousness of the situation.

Some worry that although Lee Jae-myung's falling approval rating is welcome, he may hold South Korea hostage for his full five-year term. Calls are growing for practical diplomatic efforts in the national interest, rather than mere relationship-building.

Lee Hwa-young's side has given up family visits and a special pardon and is asking the Supreme Court to allow a retrial so he can be tried without detention. This is read as an attempt to secure non-custodial status by exploiting the fact that he is on trial.

Lawyer Yoo Seung-soo pointed out that this demand amounts to extortion and threats against Lee Jae-myung, and warned that if Lee Jae-myung accepts it, the public will treat it as Lee Jae-myung confessing to complicity, potentially leading to an impeachment crisis. Some analyze Lee Hwa-young's position as a last-ditch, all-or-nothing move with no room left to retreat.

Allegations have emerged that the graves of the parents of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, were illegally established on farmland under his elder brother's name in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province. Rep. Lee Jin-sook visited the site in person and raised the issue publicly by releasing photos.

The grave was reportedly illegally established, and the competent administrative agency is said to have imposed fines three times, in 2020, 2024, and 2025. Fines are imposed on a yearly basis when administrative orders are not followed, and it has been reported that relocation orders and fines were issued for three consecutive years.

Given that in February this year Lee Jae-myung abruptly proposed a nationwide survey of farmland at a Cabinet meeting, provoking farmers' backlash, the controversy is deepening because his own family grave is reportedly violating the Farmland Act.

Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook rebutted the conflict-of-interest allegations against her by citing the case of Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Hyun, who served on the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee for three years, as an example of a conflict of interest. She stressed that her own tenure as chair of the Korea Communications Commission lasted only three to four months and argued that the allegations against her are unreasonable.

Lee Jin-sook read the conflict-of-interest claims as political retaliation for raising the issue of Lee Jae-myung's parents' illegal grave and as an attempt to drive her out. She also said this insults the Daegu citizens who sent her to the National Assembly, and criticized it as an act that obstructs parliamentary audits, a core duty of lawmakers.

Criticism has been raised over Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun defending the president's weekend golf while Lee Jin-sook is being harassed by the Democratic Party. It was emphasized that the president has no concept of days off as a public figure 365 days a year and must respond immediately in emergencies.

The core issue, critics say, is not whether the president plays golf itself, but whether he stopped the golf and properly handled the response to a national security matter or major accident, such as the missing navy personnel incident. It was stressed that he should have immediately halted activities and focused on managing the situation when the accident occurred.

The police chief admitted to having spoken with Lee Jae-myung but has not disclosed when or about what, which is causing controversy. Lee Jae-myung's side claims he was briefed on the accident response, but the specific call time, briefing content, and instructions have not been made public.

Critics say it is important to clarify the causal relationship between the accident response and the call timing, such as whether Lee Jae-myung kept playing golf after receiving an accident report or called well after the response was completed. Some lawmakers, including Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, are also criticized for trying to shift the focus to golf itself.

Analysts suggest that Rep. Kim Min-seok of the Democratic Party publicly calling for the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae stems from his being on the defensive and needing a political reversal card. Impatience over the party's internal situation and weakening influence appears to be at play.

After becoming party leader, Kim Min-seok launched "Democratic Party TV" and predicted it would beat Kim Eo-jun's News Factory, but its concurrent viewer count has fallen sharply and its influence remains minimal. This is read as evidence that the party is failing to secure broad public support.

He is also analyzed to need a breakthrough to raise his support, caught between the redevelopment issue in his district and the "traitor frame" with Lee Jae-myung. Kim has now raised allegations related to Shincheonji to stage a reversal, but the pro-Lee camp is pushing for even stronger investigation of the Shincheonji issue.

Minister of Government Legislation Cho Won-cheol has drawn controversy by openly criticizing the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, saying the chief justice neglected his duties as chief justice. Some point out that his tone resembles that of opposition spokespeople.

Minister Cho, whose superior agency head is the Chief Justice, openly criticized Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and further argued that the chief justice deserves impeachment. However, critics point out that there is not a single legal basis for this claim.

The appropriateness of criticizing a superior agency head has been questioned, and calls are growing for officials to maintain their dignity. His remarks go beyond personal opinion and are stirring political controversy.

Regarding the admissions allegations involving the daughter of former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, the central issue has become whether the high school credentials were actually used in admissions. Former Minister Han's side argues the credentials were not used for admissions. Experts argue that rather than simply denying it, this must be proven with objective evidence.

To resolve the allegations, it has been suggested that international cooperation requests should be made to MIT to verify the relevant records. Calls are growing for moving beyond the Democratic Party's low-level attacks to a stage of substantive proof of the allegations.

Regarding the allegation of preferential hiring of Yoo Dam, daughter of former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, as a professor at Incheon National University, police have referred four people, including former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and Incheon National University President Lee In-jae, to prosecutors. This is read as police concluding that there is grounds for charges and moving the matter into the judicial process.

This situation is being criticized within the conservative camp as well, with negative framings such as "Mun-jo-teul-lee-yu" and "Oh-jun-mu-ga-yu" circulating. Some argue that an approach of embracing figures whose charges have surfaced and who have caused social fallout could burden the party leadership.