Park Chan-dae Proposes Special Law to Limit Pardons for Insurrection Offenders

On July 8, 2025, Park Chan-dae, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, introduced a 'Special Law on Insurrection' aimed at restricting pardons and reinstatements for those convicted of insurrection. This legislation, which Park is spearheading with the support of over 60 fellow lawmakers, includes provisions to limit pardons for insurrection offenders, cut government subsidies to parties that produce such offenders, establish a special court for insurrection cases, and reduce penalties for whistleblowers and confessors related to insurrection.

During a press conference held at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council, Park stated, "This special law is a step towards completely ending the insurrection led by former President Yoon Seok-youl and moving towards a new Republic of Korea."

He emphasized that the law aims to thoroughly isolate insurrection offenders from society and ensure they face full accountability, turning their actions into a historical lesson. Park also mentioned that government subsidies to parties that support insurrection will be halted, asserting that allowing such parties to benefit from taxpayer money is counterproductive to ending insurrection.

Furthermore, he announced plans to recover funds already disbursed to political parties since the declaration of a state of emergency on December 3 of the previous year.

Park also proposed holding a 'Yoon Seok-youl and Kim Geon-hee Insurrection Hearing,' comparable to the 'Second 5th Republic Hearing,' where he would expose the alleged wrongdoings of key figures involved, including former President Yoon, his wife Kim Geon-hee, and other prominent officials.

He concluded by stating that the Special Law on Insurrection represents a definitive measure to socially and politically end the insurrection led by Yoon Seok-youl and serves as a landmark for necessary reforms in the prosecution, judiciary, and media sectors in a democratic society.