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Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

4 Mil. Granted Amnesty
Dozens of politicians and lawmakers involved in illegal fundraising during the 2002 presidential election have been granted amnesty on the 60th anniversary of Liberation Day, which falls on Aug. 15.

In a Cabinet meeting, the government decided to grant pardons to some 4.22 million people, including politicians. This is the fourth largest number of people who have been granted amnesty: 7 million in 1995, 5.5 million in 1998 and 4.8 million in 2002.

"We granted the large-scale amnesty to encourage the momentum to national unity along with the 60th anniversary of Liberation Day and to provide those pardoned with a chance to participate in the new public order," a Justice Ministry official said.
By Kim Rahn, Korea Times (August 12, 2005)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200508/kt2005081217273111950.htm

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

In a country of less than 50 million, how could it be possible for so many to be granted amnesty? Just the four amnesties mentioned come to half the country!

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Cthulhu · Joined: 02 Feb 2003

komtengi · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Location: Slummin it up in Haebangchon

no wonder there are no law abiding citizens... they all get let off on national holidays Rolling Eyes

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

World Cup amnesty for traffic offenders
Drivers who received black marks under the Traffic Regulation Law before June 30 will be eliminated from the blacklist. Additionally, those whose licenses were revoked or suspended for 1 to 5 years will be exempted from further punishment.

These changes reflect the government's desire to maintain the festive mood of the World Cup and to celebrate the national team's advance to the semifinal. The government announced the decision after a state affairs meeting on Tuesday. Drivers with suspended licenses may retrieve their cards from local police stations regardless of the amount of time remaining in the suspension period. Fines related to the offense must still be paid, however.
JoongAng Ilbo (July 9, 2002)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200207/09/200207092343293009900090409041.html

[Editorials] Be prudent with pardons
And pardons on Independence Day and National Liberation Day have become almost annual events. Even during this month, 4.8 million traffic law violators have been granted pardons along with 508,000 minor debtors in celebration of the World Cup.
JoongAng Ilbo (July 22, 2002)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200207/22/200207222233028049900090109011.html

Pardon is largest since 1998: Sentences of 125,000 civil servants annulled
The government will pardon 151,122 people convicted of crimes and violations of election-related laws, the Justice Ministry announced yesterday. It has been customary for the ministry to grant such pardons each year to mark Aug. 15, Liberation Day. It is the largest pardon for civil servants since 1998, when former President Kim Dae-jung granted a sweeping amnesty to about 160,000 civil servants.
by Jeon Jin-bae, JoongAng Daily (August 13, 2003)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200308/13/200308130212365009900090309031.html

World's Longest-Serving Political Prisoner Granted Amnesty
The government on February 22 released the names of the 8,812 people who will be freed from prison or reinstated with full rights to run for office or attain a government position. The amnesty or pardons will officially come into effect on February 25 in honor of President Kim Dae Jung's first-year anniversary in office.
JoongAng Daily (February 22, 1999)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/199902/22/199902220000040349900090409041.html