South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Friday he will pardon his chief conservative rival and predecessor, Park Geun-hye, who is serving a lengthy prison term for bribery and other crimes.
Moon’s liberal government said the pardon is meant to promote national unity in face of difficulties brought by pandemic.Some observers say Moon may want to ease conservative criticism stemming from Park’s health problems, or even use her to split opposition ahead of a presidential polls in March.“We should move into a new era by getting over pains of past. It’s time to boldly pull together all our strengths for future rather than fighting against each other while being preoccupied with past,” Moon said in remarks released by his office.
