China News Service, December 31, reported that at 0:00 local time on December 31 (23:00 Beijing time on the 30th), former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was pardoned and regained her freedom. She was detained on March 31, 2017. 4 years and 9 months (1736 days).
According to reports, Park Geun-hye is currently receiving treatment at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and will not be discharged immediately due to her poor health.
Therefore, Park Geun-hye's release procedures were handled in the hospital.
Data map: Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
As soon as the amnesty time arrived at 0:00 on the 31st, the director of the Seoul Detention Center and other related persons came to the ward where Park Geun-hye was hospitalized and delivered the pardon and restoration certificate to Park Geun-hye. Park Geun-hye received the certificate in person.
At around 10 o'clock in the evening on the 30th, Park Geun-hye’s supporters had already gathered outside Samsung Seoul Hospital, holding Tai Chi flags and light sticks to express their support to Park Geun-hye.
Supporters sent a large number of wreaths, which were more than 250 meters long.
The wreath was hung with words such as "Dear President Park Geun-hye, be strong", "I wish you well", and "Strong".
Banners praying for Park Geun-hye's recovery were hung on the nearby road.
The banner read: "I wish you a speedy recovery. I love you", "Congratulations on your freedom", "Wish you good health", and "Welcome to release."
All of these were prepared voluntarily by groups and individual supporters supporting Park Geun-hye.
On the other hand, Seoul also held an event against Park Geun-hye's amnesty.
At 7 pm on the same day, the "National People's Action Group" held an activity "Citizens opposed to Park Geun-hye's amnesty and condemned the Moon Jae-in government" in front of the Cheonggye Plaza Building in Seoul.
In March 2017, Park Geun-hye lost judicial immunity due to being impeached in the scandal of "confidentialism in politics". He was detained in the detention center on the 31st of the same month. He has been imprisoned for 4 years and 9 months and is the longest former president of South Korea. .
On December 24, the Ministry of Justice of South Korea announced an amnesty for Park Geun-hye in order to promote national unity.
Park Geun-hye responded to the amnesty that day, "expressing gratitude" to President Moon Jae-in and government departments.