Liberation Day pardons may number 30,000

On the special occasion of National Liberation Day on Aug. 15, many of the inmates serving time for non-violent economic crimes committed for survival during the economic crisis and for white-collar crimes may receive special amnesty in the number of tens of thousands.

"The members of the MDP have made a request to President Kim Dae-Jung to grant special pardons to the violators of economic and white-collar crimes, along with the planned pardons for the offenders of the National Security Law," Park Byung-Suk, spokesperson for the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, said August 8.

A high-ranking member of the MDP revealed that the request could affect tens of thousands.

"Although we cannot be certain of the number of those who will receive the special pardons until the end of the selection process, a rough estimate can be made at around 20,000 to 30,000 individuals," the MDP official said.

Among the names submitted by the ruling party for special amnesties, many have been serving time for offenses related to counterfeiting, thievery of food and non-felony traffic offenses. However, those serving time for driving while intoxicated are not included in the proposal.

Yun Seung-Mo ysmo@donga.com