South Korea pardons brother of ex-president, corporate executives as part of annual tradition
By The Associated Press (CP) – Aug 12, 2010
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea announced special pardons for the imprisoned older brother of late President Roh Moo-hyun and 18 corporate executives as part of traditional amnesties granted during Liberation Day celebrations.
The Justice Ministry said 2,493 people would be given presidential pardons, reduced sentences or have their civil rights restored starting Saturday. Liberation Day — which commemorates the Aug. 15, 1945, end of Japanese colonial rule over the Korean peninsula — and other holidays are often marked in this way.
Among those pardoned is Roh Gun-pyeong, who was convicted and sentenced last year to two and a half years in prison for influence-peddling while his brother was president in 2006. The former president jumped to his death in May last year while embroiled in a separate corruption scandal.
The corporate executives pardoned include former Samsung group vice chairman Lee Hak-soo, who was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for breach of trust. Lee had been given a suspended five-year prison sentence.
The vast majority of the pardons were given to those found guilty of election law violations, including a number of politicians.
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