South Korea pardons jailed ex-president Lee Myung-bak

The 81-year-old Lee, who in June was granted a temporary release from jail due to his age and deteriorating health, is serving 17 years for bribery and embezzlement. It was effectively a life sentence as he was not due for release until 2036, when he would be 95. The former Hyundai CEO-turned-president was charged with 16 criminal allegations in 2018 and sentenced in 2020.