[Editorial] PPP’s shameless parade of disgraced presidents

Lee Myung-bak, a former president of South Korea, poses for a photograph whereas out campaigning for Individuals Energy Celebration candidates in Seoul Forest on June 1, 2026. (Yonhap)

Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye have been remarkably busy forward of Korea’s native elections on June 3.

The previous presidents are touring the nation, stumping for candidates from the primary opposition Individuals Energy Celebration (PPP). It boggles the thoughts that the 2 acquired presidential pardons whereas serving jail sentences for crimes dedicated whereas in workplace.

Given their packed schedules and frequent marketing campaign stops, one may simply assume that Lee and Park had been on the PPP’s marketing campaign committee.

Lee Myung-bak visited Busan on Sunday to assist mayoral hopeful Park Heong-joon and different PPP candidates. On Monday, Lee stopped by Seoul Forest in Seoul’s Seongdong District to mingle with voters. That was just a few weeks after he accompanied Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on a go to to the Cheonggye Stream in downtown Seoul to ship a message of assist on Could 15.

Park Geun-hye has been busy campaigning as properly. After visiting Daegu on Could 23, she dropped by Okcheon, North Chungcheong Province; Gongju, South Chungcheong Province; and Daejeon on Could 25. She went on to Jinju and Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, and the southeastern metropolises of Ulsan and Busan on Could 27; Wonju and Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, on Could 28; and Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, on Could 29. Then on Could 31, she was again in Daegu as soon as extra.

Former presidents will not be obliged to keep up political neutrality. In contrast to a sitting president, Park and Lee have each proper to assist particular events or candidates in accordance with their private convictions as residents.

Within the US, one other nation with a presidential system, it’s utterly regular to see former presidents touring the nation to attend occasions and lift funds for candidates they assist. Even in Korea, former President Moon Jae-in publicly supported candidates for the Democratic Celebration in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province within the 2024 basic elections, after he was out of workplace. 

Lee and Park are additionally former presidents, however their circumstances are distinctly totally different. Lee was sentenced to 17 years in jail for accepting a bribe, as president, to pardon a company large wig. Park is a felon, too; after being impeached, she was given a 22-year jail sentence for abusing her authority and accepting bribes whereas in workplace.

Their pardons could have restored their authorized and political rights, however that doesn’t erase their guilt.

Koreans don’t have any grandiose expectations for the 2 — we don’t anticipate them to function high-minded doyens toiling for nationwide unity, for instance. All we ask is that they behave with a modicum of human decency befitting their standing as pardoned people.

The PPP is basically guilty for all this.

As if pandering to teams who approve of disgraced former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s self-coup was not dangerous sufficient, the PPP can also be reaching out to former presidents convicted of accepting bribes and peddling affect. Is the PPP ready to face the results?

What will we anticipate Korean children to be taught from seeing these two people performing as in the event that they had been harmless prisoners of conscience lastly at liberty?

The PPP could also be determined to drum up assist, however we ask it to do not forget that there are some strains a political social gathering ought to by no means cross.

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