450,000 people granted 'presidential pardon' for Lunar New Year!

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has issued a special presidential pardon for more than 450,000 people, including a former Defense Minister and a former Chief of Staff to the President.

According to Yonhap news, Yoon announced during a cabinet meeting that the pardon was issued on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

Stating that he hopes the pardon will stimulate the economy, Yoon said that more than 450,000 people, including former Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and former President Park Geun-hye's Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon, would benefit from the pardon.

South Korean officials announced that the pardon, the fourth issued by President Yoon since taking office in 2022, will go into effect tomorrow.

In South Korea, the government typically issues special pardons for convicted politicians, corporate executives, and other offenders on New Year's or Independence Day, celebrated on August 15, to reward good behavior and promote national harmony.

Former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office in March 2017 due to bribery, abuse of power, and other charges, after which she was arrested and imprisoned. Park was released with a presidential pardon in December 2021 after spending 5 years in prison on corruption charges.