Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye Released After Government Decides To Pardon
Photo: Kim Hong-Ji / Reuters
Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, convicted of corruption, was released after the authorities decided to pardon. The agency Yonhap reports.
The ex-president spent four years and nine months in prison. The decision to pardon was taken on humanitarian grounds, taking into account her state of health. In 2019, Park Geun-hye underwent shoulder surgery, and in 2021 the former president was hospitalized several times for chronic shoulder and spine pain.
It is not known where the former head of state will go after his release. The house in which she lived was sold. Park Geun-hye is eligible for state protection, but she is not entitled to other privileges.
Park Geun-hye's presidency was suspended in 2017 following impeachment proceedings. She was charged with corruption and sentenced to imprisonment in April 2018. The prosecutor's office demanded 30 years in prison for her and a fine of 118.5 billion won (about $ 95 million). The court sentenced her to 24 years in prison and a fine of approximately $ 95 million.
The South China Morning Post notes that all of the last South Korean presidents went to jail after the end of their terms.