Special Pardon to Criminal Offenders on Liberation Day

Marking the 58th anniversary of Liberation Day on August 15, the government has decided to grant special pardons to a number of criminal offenders with the rationale of national unity.

"Special pardons on a national level are currently being considered for general offenders except those involved in corruption and irregularities," a Cheong Wa Dae official said. Considering his remarks that far more than thousands of offenders will be discharged, the number is expected to exceed 10,000.

The official also said that the government was considering whether to include election law violators in this act of clemency.

"In the first pardon extended by President Roh Moo-hyun in April, national security law violators and labor activists were released while this time model prisoners and long-term prisoners will be the first on the list," a Cheong Wa Dae offical said.

Cheong Wa Dae and the Justice Ministry are reportedly reviewing the subjects and the number of those who will receive the special pardon.

Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae said that the special pardon would not create controversy because it does not include offenders related to corruption and irregularities of cases and is extended for the purpose of social cohesion, dismissing the possible criticism that the government is abusing the right to pardon for its large-scale clemency.

Young-Hae Choi yhchoi65@donga.com