"A National Opportunity for Great Harmony"… Special Pardon for Park Geun-hye and Reinstatement of Han Myeong-sook (Comprehensive)

Special Pardon for 3,094 People and Special Commutation for 980,000 People Executed... Former Lawmaker Lee Seok-gi Granted Parole for Incitement of Rebellion

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Moon Jae-in has decided to grant a special pardon and reinstatement to former President Park Geun-hye and to reinstate former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, who has completed her sentence. Former President Lee Myung-bak was not included. The government stated, "We will overcome the spread of COVID-19 and the resulting nationwide crisis by achieving great national harmony and unified strength, overcoming the unfortunate history of the past, and creating an opportunity to take new steps toward the future."

On the 24th, the government announced that ahead of the 2022 New Year, a special pardon will be granted on the 31st to 3,094 people, including former presidents.

The pardon recipients include former President Park and former Prime Minister Han. Former President Park was imprisoned on March 31, 2017, for the 'state affairs manipulation' case and served about 4 years and 8 months in prison. This is the longest period for a former president, and since the 22nd of last month, she has been receiving inpatient treatment at Seoul Samsung Hospital. The Ministry of Justice's pardon review committee did not consider pardoning former President Park during the review on the 20th and 21st. However, it is known that President Moon made the decision to pardon her considering her health condition and the need for national unity at the end of his term.

Former Prime Minister Han was sentenced by the Supreme Court to 2 years in prison and a fine of 883 million KRW for receiving illegal political funds amounting to about 900 million KRW. She was released at the end of her term in 2017, but about 780 million KRW of the fine remains unpaid. With President Moon's decision to reinstate her, former Prime Minister Han is now eligible to run for public office.

Restoration of rights will also be granted to 315 election offenders. However, pardons will not be granted for the most recent elections, and only election offenders from the 18th presidential election, the 5th and 6th local elections, and the 19th and 20th general elections?who have already faced one or two penalties due to restrictions on eligibility?are included. Major individuals to have their rights restored include Choi Myung-gil (20th general election winner), Park Chan-woo (20th general election winner), Choi Min-hee (20th general election loser), Lee Jae-gyun (19th general election winner), Woo Je-chang (19th general election loser), and Choi Pyung-ho (6th local election Goseong County governor by-election winner), among others.

Special pardons and reinstatements were also granted to 65 individuals involved in social conflict cases such as the Jeju Naval Base, THAAD deployment, Miryang transmission tower construction, and the Sewol ferry disaster. Considering the constitutional court's decision on the unconstitutionality of the abortion law, one person punished for abortion was carefully selected and reinstated.

Labor and civic activists were also included. Former Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Lee Young-joo, who was sentenced to probation for leading the 2015 People's Rally, was granted sentence expiration and reinstatement. Civic activist Song Kyung-dong, who was sentenced to probation for leading the 2011 Hope Bus rallies, was also reinstated.

In addition, special reductions were granted to 983,051 people. This includes those subject to administrative sanctions such as suspension of construction licenses and bidding restrictions, cancellation or suspension of driver's licenses and penalty points essential for the social activities of ordinary citizens, and cancellation or suspension of fishing licenses for livelihood fishermen. However, even first-time offenders of drunk driving were excluded from reductions due to the high risk and blameworthiness, and drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents were also excluded. Furthermore, hit-and-run traffic accidents, reckless or retaliatory driving, driving under the influence of drugs, vehicle-related crimes, and violations within protected zones were excluded from reductions.

Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, stated, "The basic purpose of this pardon is to alleviate the burdens on the people considering the ongoing COVID-19 situation, and to create a turning point for national unity and overcoming the crisis."

Meanwhile, former Unified Progressive Party lawmaker Lee Seok-ki, imprisoned for inciting rebellion, was released on parole this morning, about 1 year and 5 months before his full release date. He was arrested and prosecuted in September 2013 for activities aimed at overthrowing the Republic of Korea system in sympathy with North Korea's theory of revolution against the South, marking 8 years and 3 months since his detention.

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