Two former South Korean presidents, Roh Tae-Woo, and Chun Doo-Hwan, have been freed from prison in Seoul, two years after they were arrested on charges of corruption and treason.

Both were greeted by crowds of well-wishers when they arrived at their homes.

Their pardons were agreed at a meeting on Saturday between President Kim Young-Sam and the man elected to succeed him, Kim Dae-Jung.

The BBC correspondent in Seoul says the aim is to send a message of reconciliation to conservatives who have long feared Kim Dae-Jung as a dangerous radical -- but in a move likely to be less popular with them, he has said he'll also consider an amnesty for left-wing political prisoners.

Speaking after his release, Chun Doo-Hwan, referred to South Korea's current economic crisis; he said he didn't understand how it had happened, but he believed the country had the ability to overcome it.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©