South Korea's Democratic Party passed an amendment to the Amnesty Act through the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee subcommittee, aimed at blocking any possibility of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's release through presidential pardon. Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment on insurrection charges. The amendment's core provision restricts presidential pardon authority for those convicted of insurrection.
The Democratic Party held a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 20th, announcing its intention to pass what it called the "Yoon Suk-yeol Pardon Prohibition Act." Floor Leader Han Byung-do stated, "We will swiftly process the amnesty law amendment to ensure Yoon Suk-yeol cannot walk out of prison walls. We will pass an amendment restricting pardons, sentence reductions, and rights restoration for those who committed crimes of insurrection and foreign exchange rebellion."
Rep. Han Jun-ho emphasized, "We must clearly establish in law the principle that insurrection criminals live in prison and die in prison."
The ruling party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee members convened a bill review subcommittee and passed the amendment. The measure would in principle prohibit presidential special pardons for insurrection and foreign exchange criminals, allowing pardons only with consent from three-fifths of registered National Assembly members. The intent is to prevent the customary pardons repeatedly granted to former presidents, such as Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, from being extended to former President Yoon.
The Democratic Party plans to pass the amendment through the full Judiciary Committee meeting and plenary session next week.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Kim Yong-min stated in his opening remarks, "The Ji Gwi-yeon court cited unconvincing sentencing factors in handing down life imprisonment to insurrection ringleader Yoon Suk-yeol. This misjudgment must be corrected through a dedicated insurrection trial court in the future." He added, "This is not enough. Now we must pass the pardon prohibition act to condemn the crime of insurrection. No circumstances or justifications should grant immunity."
The People Power Party strongly opposed the legislative attempt, calling it an "unconstitutional idea." PPP Rep. Na Kyung-won stated during procedural remarks at the subcommittee, "Pardon authority is an inherent presidential power. The Amnesty Act only stipulates the types and procedures of pardons."