SEOUL (Xinhua): Former South Korean president Park Geun-hye (pic) was released from imprisonment on Friday (Dec 31) under a special pardon granted by President Moon Jae-in, according to Yonhap news agency.
Park, who had been imprisoned for 57 months over corruption charges, reportedly received the certificate of pardon at a hospital in Seoul, where she has been treated for over one month due to her chronic shoulder and waist pain.
The 69-year-old, after receiving shoulder surgery in 2019, allegedly planned to get treatment at the hospital until Feb 2 next year.
The justice ministry had announced a week earlier that Park was included in the list of Moon's special amnesty for the new year.
She was sentenced to a combined 22-year prison term and had served the sentence since 2017 after being impeached and removed from office over corruption charges.
According to the presidential Blue House, Park's deteriorating health was considered in making the pardon decision.
Park will be protected by the presidential security service, but she will not enjoy other privileges as a former president, including the provision of special pensions and personal secretaries, due to her conviction.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
