Section 4 Pardons

Pardons are measures to make punitive authority ineffective without a trial, or to change the content or to make the rendition of judgment cease to have effect. There are five types of pardons: general pardon, special pardon, commutation of the sentence, remission of execution of the sentence, and restoration of rights.

Pardons can also be divided into pardons specified by a Cabinet Order (general pardon, commutation of the sentence, and restoration of rights), which are implemented generally, and pardons for specific persons (special pardon, commutation of the sentence, remission of execution of the sentence, and restoration of rights), all of which are granted to specific persons based on an individual examination. Individual pardons (the latter) can be further divided into routine pardons that can be implemented at any time and pardons that can be implemented for a fixed period of time, according to criteria specified by the Cabinet.

Only routine pardons were granted in 2011, with two persons granted remission of execution of the sentence and 52 restoration of their rights (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).