Government Reviews Pardons Including Park Geun-hye at Cabinet Meeting... Prime Minister Kim Expects National Reconciliation (Update)

The 56th Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum (right) is speaking at the extraordinary Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 24th. 2021.12.24 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Former President Park Geun-hye is being granted a sudden special pardon. On the 24th, the government held an extraordinary Cabinet meeting and reviewed the case of special pardons, sentence reductions, reinstatements, and special remissions for a total of 3,094 people, including former President Park.

Prime Minister Kim presided over the extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office in the morning and said in his opening remarks, "This pardon is intended to stabilize the livelihoods of ordinary citizens who are struggling due to COVID-19 and to achieve national unity ahead of the New Year 2022."

He continued, "We aim to provide an opportunity for small and medium-sized business owners and small merchants, who have been punished for economic crimes but have mitigating circumstances, as well as those who have faced difficulties in making a living due to minor legal violations, to return to their livelihoods and restart their lives."

Prime Minister Kim particularly stated, "Prisoners in difficult conditions, such as the elderly or those with severe illnesses, have also been included in the pardon list as a humanitarian consideration." Former President Park's health has deteriorated due to long-term imprisonment, and she is currently receiving inpatient treatment at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul.

Kim said, "Those who committed serious crimes or various violent crimes to maintain law and order and ensure public safety have been excluded from the pardon list," and added, "I hope this special pardon will serve as an opportunity for our people to unite more closely as we welcome the New Year, overcome the difficulties caused by COVID-19 together, and move toward the future."

Meanwhile, among those granted special reinstatement this time is former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, who was released after serving a prison term following a conviction for illegal political fund receipt. Former President Lee Myung-bak, who is currently imprisoned on charges of accepting large bribes and embezzling company funds, was excluded from this pardon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.