By Kang Seung-woo

President Moon Jae-in announced his objection to offering presidential pardons for his two jailed predecessors, Monday, claiming the timing was inappropriate.

President Moon Jae-in speaks during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. / Courtesy of Joint Press Corps

The rejection of the suggestion to release former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak came during his New Year press conference at Cheong Wa Dae.

Park is serving a combined 22-year sentence for bribery and illegal interference in a nomination process of her former party, while Lee has been sentenced to 17 years in jail for embezzlement and bribery.

"It is not the right time yet to discuss pardoning them," Moon said.

"It is very unfortunate to see two former presidents behind bars, but their trials have just finished and their acts of misconduct did the nation a lot of harm, inflicting enormous pain and suffering on the people."

The President expressed his belief that he should only use his authority to grant pardons if there is a public consensus.

"Otherwise, the pardons will divide the nation, impeding social integration," he added.

Moon also referenced the refusal of Park and Lee to accept the court rulings in their respective cases and said that it would be unacceptable for him to grant them pardons.

Whether or not the two former leaders should be granted clemency has been a topic of much debate in political circles since the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Rep. Lee Nak-yon floated the idea last month.