South Korean President Moon Jae-in pardoned his disgraced predecessor Park Geun-hye on Friday, in a surprise move that could impact the ongoing presidential election and incite angry denunciations from North Korea.

Lee Seok-ki, a pro-DPRK lawmaker convicted of plotting a rebellion to overthrow the South Korean government in case of a war with North Korea, will also be released from prison on parole later this week, the justice ministry stated in a press release on Friday announcing 3,094 pardons ahead of the new year.

Park, who was serving a 20-year prison sentence for bribery and other