Moon meets the press for last time as president

Politics

Published: 25 Apr. 2022, 19:29 Updated: 26 Apr. 2022, 13:01

Moon meets the press for last time as president

President Moon Jae-in, left, speaks to reporters at his final press conference at the Nokjiwon presidential garden in the Blue House in central Seoul Monday afternoon two weeks before the end of his five-year term. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

In his final press conference Monday, President Moon Jae-in was positive about National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug's compromise deal reached last Friday on a controversial bill that would strip the prosecution of its investigative powers.

Moon told reporters at the Blue House that his administration has worked for so-called reforms of the prosecution, but admitted, "However, even if it is a desirable direction, I think that any method or process to promote it should also be able to receive the understanding and support of the people. It is also necessary to discuss it in the National Assembly, and if possible, there needs to be consensus between the prosecution and the police."

Moon said while the compromise between the rival parties "went well," he noted that neither side may be completely satisfied.

He added, "I can fully understand the backlash by the prosecution."

While the deal was endorsed by the ruling and opposition floor leaders, the plan has since been opposed by prosecutors and the head of the opposition People Power Party.

"Even if we are slightly dissatisfied, we can come to an agreement by making concessions one step at a time," Moon said. "This is in line with a parliamentary democracy, and I think that it can be the basis for cooperation that should be continued in the future."

He did not comment on Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo tendering his resignation last Friday.

Moon's five-year term comes to an end on May 9.

Moon avoided giving a concrete answer when asked about granting special pardons to key figures such as former President Lee Myung-bak, former South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo, as well as business leaders like Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin.

"It is true that there have been requests for special pardons from all walks of life," said Moon. "Special pardons are the inherent right of the president."

He added, "Since special pardons can conflict with judicial justice, I believe that amnesty should be exercised only in such a way that it complements judicial justice.

"I think it is ultimately up to the people to decide whether special pardons for such people can be complementary to judicial justice or conflict with judicial justice. I believe the support or consensus of the people is still the standard of judgment we must follow."

Lee, 80, who was president from 2008 to 2013, has been serving a 17-year sentence for embezzlement and bribery since 2018. Kim, an ally of Moon, was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiring to manipulate online opinion ahead of the 2017 presidential election. At the end of December, Moon granted a special pardon to former President Park Geun-hye taking into consideration her health condition.

An opportunity for presidential pardons could be on Buddha's Birthday, which falls on May 8, a day before Moon's term ends.

In reference to his exchange of personal letters with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last week, Moon said it was part of an "effort to ensure that peace and the atmosphere of dialogue on the Korean Peninsula can continue into the next government."

Moon also told reporters, "You are witnesses to the end of the Blue House era." This comes as President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol plans to relocate the presidential office from the Blue House to Yongsan in central Seoul.

He stressed the importance of "accumulating the successful history" of the country. Moon added, "I hope that the next government will continue to play such a role in developing the Republic of Korea."

He said after retirement, he plans to "live as an ordinary citizen," moving into his newly constructed retirement home in Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang.

"I said before that I want to live a forgotten life when I retire, but I don't mean that I want to live a particularly secluded life," said Moon. "It just means that I don't want to get involved in real politics and live a life that doesn't get special attention."

Moon said he plans to leave the Blue House at the end of the work day at 6 p.m. on May 9, spend the night elsewhere, attend Yoon's inauguration the next day and head to Yangsan by KTX train.

Earlier in the day, Moon received his second Pfizer booster shot along with first lady Kim Jung-sook, and encouraged people over 60 who haven't gotten their fourth Covid-19 inoculations to do so.

Moon last held a press conference on Oct. 25, 2019. Press conferences have been canceled or postponed over the past two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

President Moon Jae-in, center, toasts to reporters in his final press conference at the Nokjiwon presidential garden in the Blue House in central Seoul Monday afternoon two weeks before the end of his five-year term. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]