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South Korea's President Pardons Controversial Ex-Minister Cho Kuk

8/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung is set to pardon former justice minister Cho Kuk, who has been serving a two-year sentence for falsifying academic records. This controversial move could reignite Cho's political ambitions, but it has drawn sharp criticism from the conservative People Power Party, which claims Lee is abusing his authority while educational inequality remains a pressing issue.

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Story summary

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung is set to pardon former justice minister Cho Kuk, who has been serving a two-year sentence for falsifying academic records. This controversial move could reignite Cho's political ambitions, but it has drawn sharp criticism from the conservative People Power Party, which claims Lee is abusing his authority while educational inequality remains a pressing issue.