Yoon: "Including 5 Businesspeople and 7 Politicians in Special Pardons... Administrative Sanctions Reduced for About 450,000 People"

by Lee Kimin

Published 06 Feb.2024 10:50(KST)

Updated 06 Feb.2024 14:51(KST)

President Yoon: "Pardon Focused on a Vibrant Livelihood Economy"

President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on the 6th that this year's Lunar New Year special pardon includes "5 businesspeople and 7 politicians."

During his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office that morning, President Yoon stated, "Today's Cabinet meeting will present an agenda regarding special pardons, sentence reductions, and reinstatements." This marks the fourth special pardon since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Previously, President Yoon granted special pardons on Liberation Day in August 2022, the New Year in December 2022, and again on Liberation Day last August.

According to the Ministry of Justice, former Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin (Vice Chairman of the Presidential Defense Innovation Committee) and former Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Ki-chun are reportedly being strongly considered as candidates for this special pardon.

Acting Minister of Justice Shim Woo-jung, Vice Minister, is announcing the 2024 Lunar New Year special pardon on the morning of the 6th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon further explained, "However, above all, this pardon focuses on revitalizing the livelihood economy," adding, "We will reduce administrative sanctions on driver's licenses and promote the reduction of various administrative penalties for food service operators, livelihood fishermen, and passenger and cargo transport operators."

President Yoon conveyed that the total number of people receiving reductions in administrative sanctions through this Lunar New Year special pardon, sentence reductions, and reinstatements will reach approximately 450,000.

He emphasized, "Going forward, the government will continue to implement measures that can assist routine economic activities in the livelihood economy sector," and added, "I hope this pardon, conducted ahead of the holiday, will bring more vitality to the livelihood economy."

Additionally, President Yoon instructed thorough efforts to stabilize prices during the holiday, respond to disaster accidents, ensure traffic safety, and maintain emergency medical systems to protect the livelihood of the people during the Lunar New Year holiday.