A: Hey there! Did you catch the news today?
B: Nope, what's up?

A: Well, South Korea just announced its first pardons since their new president took office!
B: Really? Who are we talking about here?

A: One of them is Cho Kuk, a former justice minister who was convicted for his kids' fraudulent university admission.
B: Oh, I remember him now! He resigned last year over scandals involving his family, right?

A: Exactly! He served under the Moon Jae-in administration and was a big critic of the previous government. People are wondering if he'll make a political comeback now.
B: That's interesting! Another person pardoned is Youn Mee-hyang, who led a group supporting comfort women during wartime. She was convicted for misusing donations.

A: Yeah, and the pardons are causing quite a stir because the main opposition party says it's like the rule of law has collapsed.
B: Wow, looks like some serious discussions ahead!
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South Korea's government has announced its first pardons since President Lee Jae-myung took office, granting clemency to figures including a former justice minister convicted over his children's fraudulent university admission.



The pardons announced on Monday will take effect on August 15, the anniversary of the end of Japanese colonial rule.



Former minister Cho Kuk was sentenced last December to two years in prison for charges including academic fraud.



He served as justice minister in 2019 under the administration of President Moon Jae-in, but resigned over a series of scandals involving his relatives.



Cho headed the liberal Rebuilding Korea Party last year and was a vocal critic of the previous Yoon Suk-yeol government.



Speculation is mounting over whether he will stage a political comeback.



Also pardoned is Youn Mee-hyang, the former head of a civic group supporting those referred to as wartime comfort women. She received a suspended sentence last November for misappropriating donations, among other charges.



The pardons have drawn criticism from the main opposition party, which says they represent a collapse of the rule of law.
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Quiz 1:
Who was granted clemency and convicted over his children's fraudulent university admission?
A. President Lee Jae-myung
B. Former justice minister Cho Kuk
C. Youn Mee-hyang, the former head of a civic group
D. The head of a political party

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B

Quiz 2:
Who served as justice minister in 2019 under the administration of President Moon Jae-in?
A. Cho Kuk
B. Youn Mee-hyang
C. The head of a political party
D. The main opposition party leader

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 2: A

Quiz 3:
What is the significance of the pardons taking effect on August 15?
A. It marks the anniversary of South Korea's independence.
B. It marks the anniversary of the end of Japanese colonial rule.
C. It marks the anniversary of the founding of the Rebuilding Korea Party.
D. It marks the anniversary of the formation of the main opposition party.

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 3: B