Gov't pardons 6,444 people, including ex-lawmaker convicted for raising allegations against ex-President Lee

SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- The government granted special pardons to 6,444 people on Friday, including a former lawmaker convicted for raising corruption allegations against former President Lee Myung-bak ahead of Lee's 2007 election.

The beneficiaries also included 25 protesters convicted in a deadly 2009 clash between police and residents opposed to a redevelopment project in Seoul's Yongsan district. The violent clash on the rooftop of a building left two protesters and one police officer dead and dozens of others injured.

Former legislator Chung Bong-ju was the only politician included in the pardons.

Chung was convicted for violating the election law with his allegations ahead of the 2007 presidential election that then leading candidate Lee was the real owner of the financial firm BBK, accused of stock price rigging.

The conviction had stripped Chung of his right to run for elected office until 2022, but Friday's pardon reinstated his right.
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