Published: Less than 10 min ago
Former South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, who was sentenced in 2020 to 17 years in prison for bribery and embezzlement, has been pardoned by President Yoon Suk-Yeol.
Justice Minister Han Dong-Hoon told several media after a cabinet meeting that Lee was one of 1,300 people pardoned by the president based on a desire for “broad national unity through reconciliation, tolerance and consideration.”
81-year-old Lee Myung-Bak was granted a temporary release from prison in June due to his advanced age and failing health.
Lee was president of South Korea from 2008–2013. He is the fourth former South Korean president to be sentenced to prison.
Lee Myung-Bak’s successor as president, Park Geun-Hye, took office in 2013 but was forced to resign less than four years later following a corruption scandal.
She was pardoned by the president on Christmas 2021 after serving five years of the 20 years in prison she was sentenced to for bribery and abuse of power.