The Justice Ministry said Monday The government pardoned 122 prisoners effective Tuesday, including Kim Sun-hong, former chairman of Kia Motors. The ministry said the government has decided to pardon leading businessmen, officials, foreign workers and other criminals to encourage them to participate in developing the country with the term of the incumbent government coming to an end. Also pardoned was Chung Tae-soo, former Hanbo Group owner, who was among those released early due to age or illness. The ministry said twelve other businessmen were freed of legal restrictions with the remainder of their sentences nullified to give them a chance to contribute again to the economic development of the country.