South Korea's rival political parties gave mixed reactions to the Supreme Court's upholding of a 20-year prison sentence for former conservative President Park Geun-hye.

Leader of the ruling Democratic Party(DP) Lee Nak-yon on Thursday expressed hope that the court ruling will help solidify the development of democracy and spirit of the "candlelight revolution" that led to Park’s ouster in 2017.

Lee also urged Park to consider the pain she has caused and sincerely apologize to the South Korean people.

As for his previous pledge to propose President Moon Jae-in grant a pardon for the ex-president, Lee said he respects the party's position that a public consensus and Park's expression of remorse should come first.

The conservative main opposition People Power Party(PPP) said it respects the judiciary's decision and gravely accepts it.

Stating that preventing a recurrence of such a painful part of history is a major task facing the nation, the main opposition vowed to continue efforts toward setting right democracy and law and order while achieving national unity.

PPP floor leader Joo Ho-young called for a pardon on humanitarian grounds. He has stressed that Park has already served longer than ex-presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, who were imprisoned for treason.