Hyonhee Shin and Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters). During a closely contested presidential race, South Korea’s President Moon Jaein pardoned Park Geun-hye who was held in jail for corruption charges.

Park, 69, became South Korea’s first democratically elected leader to be thrown out of office when the Constitutional Court upheld a parliament vote in 2017 to impeach her over a scandal https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-park-idUSKCN1HD0MN that also landed the heads of two conglomerates, including Samsung (KS:), in jail.

Her guilt of conspiring with a friend led to her being brought to justice. She received tens to billions from large conglomerates mainly for the purpose of funding her friend’s family, and non-profit foundations.

South Korea’s Supreme Court affirmed a 20 year prison sentence for Park on graft charges. It ended the legal process.

Yoo Yeong-ha Park, Park’s lawyer, stated that Park had made an apology for the concern he caused to the public. Moon thanked him for his difficult decision.

Moon’s office claimed that Pardoning Park was an attempt to overcome “unfortunate past history”, promote unity, and unite people for the future.

According to his spokesperson, he said: “I hope it would give a chance for us all to get beyond our differences in thought and pros and cons and open up an era of integration & unity.”

Moon has previously stated that she would not pardon corruption-related convictions. However, many People Power supporters and politicians called for Park to be pardoned ahead of the March presidential elections. This was citing Park’s declining health as well as deepening political tensions.

Park was reportedly suffering from health issues while in prison.

Park’s detention had been a politically hot potato in the country. There were weekly protests by conservatives in Seoul calling for Park’s release. They also criticised Moon, until the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gallup Korea’s November poll showed that 48% opposed pardoning Park or Lee. However, this number has dropped to around 60% in the first half of 2012.

Kim Mi-jeong (42) is a Gwangyang resident and said Park’s pardon came at a good time. Jang Yunsoo from Hwaseong, South Korea, near Seoul said that Park’s release was political motivated.

In recent polls, Lee Jaemyung, the flag bearer Moon’s Democratic Party ruling party, and Yoon Suk-yeol (people power’s candidate) are seen as neck and neck.

Lee stated that he was able to understand Moon’s “agony” but Park needs an apology.

Yoon stated that Park’s pardon was appreciated, even if it came late. However she did not respond to reporters’ queries about whether Park could resume political activities.

Park’s predecessor, also conservative Lee Myung-bak https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-politics-corruption-idUSKCN1GI0HX, who is also imprisoned on corruption charges, was not pardoned.