President Yoon Suk Yeol has officially reinstated the political rights of former South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo, who had been imprisoned until late 2022 for involvement in manipulating online opinions in favor of former President Moon Jae-in before the 2017 presidential election. This restoration of Kim's political rights was part of a special pardon granted by President Yoon, which also included 1,219 other convicts on the occasion of Liberation Day on August 15. This latest pardon will enable Kim to participate in the next presidential election scheduled for March 2027. The decision to reinstate Kim's rights has sparked mixed reactions, with some key members of President Yoon's People Power Party expressing disagreement or caution. However, the floor leader of the ruling party emphasized the need to respect the president's decision, while also expressing concerns about Kim's lack of remorse over his actions. The pardon list also included other convicted individuals from previous administrations, such as former minister Cho Yoon-sun and former NIS director Won Sei-hoon, who had completed their jail terms but were subject to restrictions prior to the presidential amnesty.