The citizens who voted for him will most likely see it as an unfriendly act and a betrayal of the trust that they have placed in him. Reconciliation requires transformation. The south Korean people's struggle has sought to transform the totalitarian culture that has been imposed on them. Kim Dae-jung has fought for a long time for such a transformation. However, the present agreement to pardon these two criminals will be seen by many observers as the beginning of Kim Dae-jung's compromise with authoritarianism.
Reconciliation requires repentance though.
At no stage, however, have the two former presidents repented of their extremely serious crimes, including corruption relating to vast sums of money. A legitimate issue that may arise is whether all people found guilty of corruption will be forgiven, particularly those who have embezzled lessor sums of money. What is at stake is the public perception of the rule of law itself. Those who would have thought that Kim Dae-jung could become something of a symbol akin to South Africa's Nelson Mandela need not entertain such illusions any longer. The struggle of south Koreans for democracy, however, will continue.