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As Korea’s Liberation Day approaches, debate is intensifying over whether former Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk should receive a special pardon.

On July 30, figures from the progressive bloc, including lawmakers Go Min-jung, Han Byung-do, Kang Deuk-gu, and former National Intelligence Service chief Park Jie-won, publicly called for Cho’s pardon. Go described Cho as "someone to whom we owe a moral debt," adding, "A pardon would confirm that our demand for prosecutorial reform was not wrong." Han argued that Cho’s family "suffered ruin across three generations," calling his case a prime example of excessive prosecutorial power.

Rep. Kang echoed this sentiment, saying, "His family has already paid a heavy price." Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon also said a pardon would be "a significant step toward national unity." Ven. Jinwoo, head of the Jogye Order, reportedly sent a letter to President Lee Jae-myung requesting Cho’s pardon.

While Democratic Party leadership has refrained from formal discussions, citing the president’s exclusive pardon power, concerns linger within the party. Some fear that Cho’s potential return to politics, particularly in the Honam region, could influence upcoming local elections. Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho, a key Lee ally, said during his confirmation hearing that Cho’s punishment appeared "disproportionate when considering his family’s sentences."

Opponents argue that Cho is serving a deserved sentence and that a pardon would deepen division. Hwaseong City Council member Jeon Sung-gyun said, "Cho wasn’t punished for democracy activism but for admissions fraud and obstruction of investigations. Calling for a pardon in the name of unity is itself divisive."

People Power Party interim leader Song Eon-seok echoed this view: "We strongly oppose it. A pardon is a privilege granted to the president for national unity, not to absolve a corrupt politician. Granting Cho a pardon would only inflame division and partisan conflict."

Critics also note that Cho has already received privileges such as special visitation rights and argue that an early pardon, less than a year into President Lee’s term, could burden his administration.

Cho was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court last December and is scheduled for release in December next year.