Presidential pardons anticipate South Korea's election

Significance

A former prime minister was also pardoned, while an ex-lawmaker convicted of plotting a pro-Pyongyang rebellion was paroled.

Impacts

• Prudence and ill-health are likely to prevent Park from playing any direct political role in future.
• In Seoul's vengeful politics, pardoning Park is also a bid by Moon to protect himself from potential persecution when he steps down.
• Conservative presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl has lost his former lead, but voter opinion is volatile; there is still time to recover.