Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been pardoned

The government of the Republic of Korea has pardoned former President Park Geun-hye, who is serving a 22-year prison sentence for corruption and abuse of office.

Park Geun-hye, 69, has been added to the amnesty list for the New Year holidays. The relevant decision was made for humanitarian reasons, taking into account his state of health. In 2019, Park Geun-hye underwent shoulder surgery, and this year the former president was hospitalized three times due to chronic pain in his shoulder and spine.

The political scandal surrounding Park Geun-hye escalated in October 2016, when reports of the influence of his friend Choi Soon-Sil on the head of state surfaced in the press. An investigation into the scandal revealed that the latter had been unaware of government details for several years and had been involved in the political decision-making process. In addition, the president's mistress put pressure on a number of companies and transferred tens of millions of dollars to the funds under her control.

Following the revelations of Choi Soon Sil’s corruption and illegal involvement in state activities, a wave of large demonstrations spread across the country, with participants demanding the immediate resignation of the president. Park Geun-hye was ousted and then arrested by a parliamentary decision. Park Geum-hye is famous in Tegu City and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. The main opposition party is the Civil Forces.

According to Ryonghap, Han Myung-suk, who served as prime minister in President Roh Moo-hyun's administration from 2006-2007, will also be pardoned. He was charged with money laundering for political purposes, yet pleaded not guilty. However, former President Lee Myung-bak, who is serving a 17-year prison sentence for corruption, was not included in the amnesty list.