The South Korean Justice Ministry announced on Friday that former President Park Geun-hye, who is serving a 22-year sentence for corruption and power abuse, has been added to the list of people who will be granted amnesty as part of the New Year amnesty.

The ministry said in a statement that "the government said on December 24 that on the eve of 2022, 3094 people, including the former president, will be granted pardon beginning December 31."

Park was hospitalised three times in 2021 due to persistent shoulder and lower back discomfort, according to the Yonhap news agency, and her health is the reason for her inclusion on the list of pardoned persons.&nbsp;

Park was forced to resign in 2017 as a result of a political controversy involving her friend Choi Soon-sil, who was accused of meddling in South Korean politics by influencing Park's decisions. 
 
Watch:

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From 2013 to 2016, the ex-president was accused of taking bribes totaling 3.5 billion won ($2.9 million) from three former National Intelligence Service leaders and was sentenced to prison in 2018.&nbsp;

Park, 69, has been admitted to the hospital multiple times in recent years due to shoulder and back pain.

Park became the country's first female president in 2013.

Park Geun-hye was born on February 2, 1952 and is the daughter of Park Chung-hee, who seized power in a 1961 coup and ruled for 18 years until he was gunned down in 1979.

Park served as acting first lady after her mother was killed in 1974 by an assassin's bullet intended for her father. Five years later, in 1979, Park's father was murdered by his disgruntled security chief.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The South Korean Justice Ministry announced on Friday that former President Park Geun-hye, who is serving a 22-year sentence for corruption and power abuse, has been added to the list of people who will be granted amnesty as part of the New Year amnesty.

The South Korean Justice Ministry announced on Friday that former President Park Geun-hye, who is serving a 22-year sentence for corruption and power abuse, has been added to the list of people who will be granted amnesty as part of the New Year amnesty. The ministry said in a statement that "the government said on December 24 that on the eve of 2022, 3094 people, including the former president, will be granted pardon beginning December 31." Park was hospitalised three times in 2021 due to persistent shoulder and lower back discomfort, according to the Yonhap news agency, and her health is the reason for her inclusion on the list of pardoned persons. Park was forced to resign in 2017 as a result of a political controversy involving her friend Choi Soon-sil, who was accused of meddling in South Korean politics by influencing Park's decisions. Watch: From 2013 to 2016, the ex-president was accused of taking bribes totaling 3.5 billion won ($2.9 million) from three former National Intelligence Service leaders and was sentenced to prison in 2018. Park, 69, has been admitted to the hospital multiple times in recent years due to shoulder and back pain. Park became the country's first female president in 2013. Park Geun-hye was born on February 2, 1952 and is the daughter of Park Chung-hee, who seized power in a 1961 coup and ruled for 18 years until he was gunned down in 1979. Park served as acting first lady after her mother was killed in 1974 by an assassin's bullet intended for her father. Five years later, in 1979, Park's father was murdered by his disgruntled security chief. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea’s first female president pardoned from serving 22 years sentence

Honduras' leftist politician Xiomara&nbsp;Castro, who is on track&nbsp;to be the first female president of the Central American nation, doesn't shy away from making history.

In 2009, she catapulted herself to the helm of a protest movement after her husband, former president Manuel Zelaya, was ousted by a military coup, which pitched Honduras into crisis.

The Liberty and Refoundation (Libre) party emerged out of this movement, and after Sunday's elections it was slated to break a century-long run of governments formed from one of two parties.

Castro, 62, looked set for a landslide victory that would bring an end to 12 years of conservative National Party rule marred by corruption, allegations of the president's links to drug trafficking, and an exodus of migrants.

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The second of five children in a middle-class family,&nbsp;Castro&nbsp;was born in 1959 in Tegucigalpa. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and later moved northeast of the capital where she raised four children with Zelaya.

Promoting "democratic socialism,"&nbsp;Castro&nbsp;wants to decriminalize abortion, reduce bank charges for remittances, create a UN-backed anti-corruption commission and repeal new laws that she says feeds corruption and drug trafficking.

"I believe firmly that the democratic socialism I propose is the solution to pull Honduras out of the abyss we have been buried in by neo-liberalism, a narco-dictator and corruption,"&nbsp;Castro&nbsp;said in a campaign speech.

MORE DIRECT DEMOCRACY

"Participatory democracy" in the form of referendums and consultations on big policy changes will be central to&nbsp;Castro's administration, according to a document outlining her government's plans. Previous attempts at more direct democracy in Latin America have at times conversely strengthened patronage politics and leaders' power.

Castro&nbsp;will also convene a national assembly that could allow her to overhaul the constitution, a proposal her husband Zelaya initiated shortly before his overthrow. The document is vague on the goal of the overhaul, but mentions guaranteeing social and economic rights.

When Zelaya was president&nbsp;Castro&nbsp;was especially active in policymaking and pushed for social programs and subsidies for poor children, women and the elderly, which helped build her popularity.

She has also run agricultural and timber companies in the private sector.

Despite similarities in policy, Zelaya did not take a big role in his wife's campaign.

"Ex-president Zelaya knows that as party coordinator, he has a relationship of deferential respect to the president," said historian and longtime friend of the candidate Anarella Velez.

Velez added that&nbsp;Castro's strong-willed personality would keep her firmly in control of government.

The National Party, which was beset by corruption scandals, sought to portray&nbsp;Castro&nbsp;as a dangerous radical in order to remain in power.

Yet, while&nbsp;Castro's party Libre is part of the Sao Paolo Forum, an organization with the goal of reimagining the Latin American left after the fall of the Berlin wall, many doubt&nbsp;Castro&nbsp;will adopt extreme policies.

"We might see some cozying up to governments that preach 19th-century socialism, but it will be more a formality than anything else," said political analyst Raul Pineda.

"Honduras depends on trade with the United States and it's so weak it can't survive even a month of economic isolation from Washington."

Honduras' leftist politician Xiomara Castro, who is on track to be the first female president of the Central American nation, doesn't shy away from making history.

Honduras' leftist politician Xiomara Castro, who is on track to be the first female president of the Central American nation, doesn't shy away from making history. In 2009, she catapulted herself to the helm of a protest movement after her husband, former president Manuel Zelaya, was ousted by a military coup, which pitched Honduras into crisis. The Liberty and Refoundation (Libre) party emerged out of this movement, and after Sunday's elections it was slated to break a century-long run of governments formed from one of two parties. Castro, 62, looked set for a landslide victory that would bring an end to 12 years of conservative National Party rule marred by corruption, allegations of the president's links to drug trafficking, and an exodus of migrants. ALSO READ | Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said this in his very first e-mail as captain of the ship The second of five children in a middle-class family, Castro was born in 1959 in Tegucigalpa. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and later moved northeast of the capital where she raised four children with Zelaya. Promoting "democratic socialism," Castro wants to decriminalize abortion, reduce bank charges for remittances, create a UN-backed anti-corruption commission and repeal new laws that she says feeds corruption and drug trafficking. "I believe firmly that the democratic socialism I propose is the solution to pull Honduras out of the abyss we have been buried in by neo-liberalism, a narco-dictator and corruption," Castro said in a campaign speech. MORE DIRECT DEMOCRACY "Participatory democracy" in the form of referendums and consultations on big policy changes will be central to Castro's administration, according to a document outlining her government's plans. Previous attempts at more direct democracy in Latin America have at times conversely strengthened patronage politics and leaders' power. Castro will also convene a national assembly that could allow her to overhaul the constitution, a proposal her husband Zelaya initiated shortly before his overthrow. The document is vague on the goal of the overhaul, but mentions guaranteeing social and economic rights. When Zelaya was president Castro was especially active in policymaking and pushed for social programs and subsidies for poor children, women and the elderly, which helped build her popularity. She has also run agricultural and timber companies in the private sector. Despite similarities in policy, Zelaya did not take a big role in his wife's campaign. "Ex-president Zelaya knows that as party coordinator, he has a relationship of deferential respect to the president," said historian and longtime friend of the candidate Anarella Velez. Velez added that Castro's strong-willed personality would keep her firmly in control of government. The National Party, which was beset by corruption scandals, sought to portray Castro as a dangerous radical in order to remain in power. Yet, while Castro's party Libre is part of the Sao Paolo Forum, an organization with the goal of reimagining the Latin American left after the fall of the Berlin wall, many doubt Castro will adopt extreme policies. "We might see some cozying up to governments that preach 19th-century socialism, but it will be more a formality than anything else," said political analyst Raul Pineda. "Honduras depends on trade with the United States and it's so weak it can't survive even a month of economic isolation from Washington."

Xiomara Castro vows to pull Honduras 'out of the abyss' as first female president

Riding a wave of public fury over corruption, liberal lawyer Zuzana Caputova looked set to win Slovakia's presidential election on Saturday, bucking a trend that has seen populist, anti-European Union politicians make gains across the continent.

Corruption and change have been the main themes ahead of the run-off vote, which takes place a year after journalist Jan Kuciak, who investigated high-profile fraud cases, and his fiancée were murdered at their home.

Caputova, a pro-EU political novice who would be Slovakia's first female president, won the election's first round two weeks ago with 40.6 percent of the vote, ahead of European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on 18.7 percent.

Sefcovic, a respected diplomat who is also pro-EU, is backed by the ruling party Smer, the largest grouping in parliament that has dominated Slovak politics since 2006.

Caputova campaigned to end what she calls the capture of the state "by people pulling strings from behind", a message that opinion polls show resonates with younger, educated voters.

She has been endorsed by opposition parties and a junior party in the ruling coalition that represents the ethnic Hungarian minority, as well as outgoing President Andrej Kiska.

"I don't take my victory as a given. I expect a narrower result than two weeks ago," Caputova said after casting her vote in her hometown of Pezinok.

Sefcovic, who voted in Bratislava, said he hoped for a high turnout that would give the new president a strong mandate.

"Slovakia needs reconciliation and peace because divisions in the society take away our energy from important issues," he said.

Polling stations closed at 10 p.m. (2100 GMT), with results expected overnight.

At one polling station in the capital, voter Zuzana Behrikova said she had been convinced by Caputova's activist background.

"She knows what it is like to face injustice and she has always had the back of those who fought against the oligarchs," Behrikova said, accompanied by her two young daughters.

'Slovakia's&nbsp;Erin Brockovich'

Slovakia's president wields little day-to-day power but appoints prime ministers and can veto appointments of senior prosecutors and judges.

Five people have been charged with the murders of Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova, including businessman Marian Kocner, who was investigated by Kuciak, and who has become a symbol of perceived impunity after more than a decade of rule by Smer. Kocner denies any wrongdoing.

The killings ignited the biggest protests in Slovakia's post-communist history.

Caputova waged a 14-year fight with a company Kocner represented that wanted to build an illegal landfill in her home town. She eventually won the case, earning her the nickname "Slovakia's Erin Brockovich", after the American environmentalist portrayed by Julia Roberts in a 2000 film.

An opinion poll by the Median agency, the only survey released between the first and the second round of voting, put support for Caputova at 60.5 percent. Sefcovic, who has campaigned on his experience and personal relationships with foreign leaders, held a 39.5 percent vote share, according to the poll.

Courting voters who backed anti-immigration candidates in the first round of the presidential election, Sefcovic has said he rejects the vision of an EU "where the distribution of migrants would be decided by someone other than Slovakia".

The Moscow-educated politician supported the government's opposition to mandatory migrant quotas suggested by the European Commission, where he is a vice president.

Sefcovic, who joined the Communist Party in what was then Czechoslovakia just months before communism collapsed in November 1989, has stressed his Christian beliefs in the campaign. He called Caputova's support for abortion rights and LGBT rights "ultra-liberal".

Riding a wave of public fury over corruption, liberal lawyer Zuzana Caputova looked set to win Slovakia's presidential election on Saturday, bucking a trend that has seen populist, anti-European Union politicians make gains across the continent.

Riding a wave of public fury over corruption, liberal lawyer Zuzana Caputova looked set to win Slovakia's presidential election on Saturday, bucking a trend that has seen populist, anti-European Union politicians make gains across the continent. Corruption and change have been the main themes ahead of the run-off vote, which takes place a year after journalist Jan Kuciak, who investigated high-profile fraud cases, and his fiancée were murdered at their home. Caputova, a pro-EU political novice who would be Slovakia's first female president, won the election's first round two weeks ago with 40.6 percent of the vote, ahead of European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on 18.7 percent. Sefcovic, a respected diplomat who is also pro-EU, is backed by the ruling party Smer, the largest grouping in parliament that has dominated Slovak politics since 2006. Caputova campaigned to end what she calls the capture of the state "by people pulling strings from behind", a message that opinion polls show resonates with younger, educated voters. She has been endorsed by opposition parties and a junior party in the ruling coalition that represents the ethnic Hungarian minority, as well as outgoing President Andrej Kiska. "I don't take my victory as a given. I expect a narrower result than two weeks ago," Caputova said after casting her vote in her hometown of Pezinok. Sefcovic, who voted in Bratislava, said he hoped for a high turnout that would give the new president a strong mandate. "Slovakia needs reconciliation and peace because divisions in the society take away our energy from important issues," he said. Polling stations closed at 10 p.m. (2100 GMT), with results expected overnight. At one polling station in the capital, voter Zuzana Behrikova said she had been convinced by Caputova's activist background. "She knows what it is like to face injustice and she has always had the back of those who fought against the oligarchs," Behrikova said, accompanied by her two young daughters. 'Slovakia's Erin Brockovich' Slovakia's president wields little day-to-day power but appoints prime ministers and can veto appointments of senior prosecutors and judges. Five people have been charged with the murders of Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova, including businessman Marian Kocner, who was investigated by Kuciak, and who has become a symbol of perceived impunity after more than a decade of rule by Smer. Kocner denies any wrongdoing. The killings ignited the biggest protests in Slovakia's post-communist history. Caputova waged a 14-year fight with a company Kocner represented that wanted to build an illegal landfill in her home town. She eventually won the case, earning her the nickname "Slovakia's Erin Brockovich", after the American environmentalist portrayed by Julia Roberts in a 2000 film. An opinion poll by the Median agency, the only survey released between the first and the second round of voting, put support for Caputova at 60.5 percent. Sefcovic, who has campaigned on his experience and personal relationships with foreign leaders, held a 39.5 percent vote share, according to the poll. Courting voters who backed anti-immigration candidates in the first round of the presidential election, Sefcovic has said he rejects the vision of an EU "where the distribution of migrants would be decided by someone other than Slovakia". The Moscow-educated politician supported the government's opposition to mandatory migrant quotas suggested by the European Commission, where he is a vice president. Sefcovic, who joined the Communist Party in what was then Czechoslovakia just months before communism collapsed in November 1989, has stressed his Christian beliefs in the campaign. He called Caputova's support for abortion rights and LGBT rights "ultra-liberal".

Slovakia set to elect anti-graft lawyer as first female president

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South Korea’s first female president pardoned from serving 22 years sentence

Xiomara Castro vows to pull Honduras 'out of the abyss' as first female president

Slovakia set to elect anti-graft lawyer as first female president