Special pardons were given to former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and other politicians convicted of corruption charges.

Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has returned to prison as his 17-year prison sentence was confirmed after being found guilty on corruption allegations, including a controversial pardon granted to the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee to enable him to lead Pyeongchang 2018’s successful Winter Olympic bid.

South Korea's Lee Kun-hee, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) honorary member, has died at the age of 75.

Ex-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has denied corruption allegations including those surrounding a controversial pardon granted to Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee in time for him to help spearhead Pyeongchang 2018's successful bid for the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A new political row has broken out in South Korea claiming that Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee received a special pardon in 2009 so he could play a crucial role in Pyeongchang's successful bid for the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in return for financially helping a company with links to the country's President at the time, Lee Myung-bak.