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As of now, the pardon is merely speculation as both police and Noh Hong Chul's agency have stated that the truth behind the rumor can't be confirmed. A rep from the police told OSEN recently, "We can't know for certain whether Noh Hong Chul is one of the people included on the special pardon list. If you want to confirm [the rumor], then Noh Hong himself must consent to it."�

The police added, "The only people excluded from the list are those who had more than two DUIs, were in a hit-and-run, and caused casualties," explaining the parameters of the pardons list. From what the police said, Noh Hong Chul's name may well be included on the list. A rep from the FNC Entertainment cautiously related, "We can't find out the truth because it's not a system where you can check the special pardon list."

The same day, in commemoration of the 70th independence day, the government had decreed clemency for a total of 2,200,000 people whose drivers licenses were revoked, suspended, and others who had committed other kinds of minor offenses.�