South Korea's ex-President Park is pardoned

South Korea says it will grant a special pardon to former President Park Geun-hye, who is serving a lengthy prison term for a series of corruption charges. The Justice Ministry said Friday that Park's pardon is aimed at promoting a national unity in the face of difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Justice Minister Park Beom-kye said Friday in Seoul that Park's civil right to vote will be reinstated, but she cannot run for office again. Park was arrested and sent to prison in 2017, after being removed from office following a corruption scandal that prompted months of massive street protests.