[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The government is expected to formally begin procedures for a New Year's special pardon as early as the 15th. The pardon is likely to be granted on the 28th. With the possibility of a pardon for former President Lee Myung-bak increasing, attention is also focused on whether former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo and others will be pardoned.
According to political and legal circles on the 11th, the Presidential Office will report to President Yoon Suk-yeol about the New Year's special pardon around the 15th. To this end, the Ministry of Justice sent an official letter to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 6th, requesting basic data listing candidates for special pardon and reinstatement. Around the 20th, the Ministry of Justice is also expected to hold a pardon review committee to examine candidates for the special pardon.
All procedures seem to be progressing toward granting the New Year's special pardon between the 28th and 30th. The Presidential Office also stated that it is "under internal review" in this direction. However, it has not yet been finalized. The 28th is drawing more attention as it is the day when former President Lee's suspension of sentence expires. Previously, former President Lee was temporarily released on June 28th under suspension of sentence, which was extended once on September 23rd. With an additional three months added, he is expected to return to the detention center by the end of this month. Considering these circumstances, political circles predict that the special pardon will likely be implemented on the 28th to pardon former President Lee.
Along with former President Lee, attention is focused on whether former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo and former Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Choi Kyung-hwan will also be pardoned. During the Liberation Day special pardon on August 15th, President Yoon pardoned many businesspeople, and there is analysis that this time the pardon targets will be mainly politicians.
Former Governor Kim was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court last July as the main culprit in the ‘Druking comment manipulation case’ and is currently serving his sentence. According to the sentence, he is scheduled to be released in May next year. Having served about 60% of his sentence, he was recently mentioned several times as a candidate for parole, but was deemed ineligible by the review committee and was not released. If former Governor Kim is released without reinstatement, his eligibility to run for office will be restored only by mid-2028.
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