"Lee Jae-yong is a Patriot, Give Him Freedom to Focus on Management"... 청와대 Petition Emerges

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] A petition has appeared on the Blue House National Petition Board requesting leniency for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong ahead of the retrial verdict in the state power abuse case.

On the 1st, a petition titled "Please set Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong free so he can fully focus on management" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. The petitioner stated, "Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong has undergone investigations, trials, and has already served prison time over the past few years," adding, "He has suffered mentally and physically during this difficult crisis and has sufficiently reflected and apologized."

The petitioner continued, "How could a businessperson refuse a request from the living power?" and said, "Any businessperson in that situation could not have refused the power's request, so there are many understandable aspects, and it is very regrettable and pitiful."

They also said, "He has made a great contribution to raising the national prestige of our Republic of Korea," calling him "our nation's pride and a driving force behind exports." Furthermore, they explained, "Samsung contributes a large portion of taxes and provides many quality jobs for us," adding, "With hundreds of thousands of directly employed staff and millions including indirect employees, he is a patriot providing jobs to millions."

The petitioner said, "Watching Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong appeal with tears for patriotism and filial piety during the trial moved me deeply, and I cried alone many times, which is why I wrote this," and earnestly appealed, "Now, we ask the President to show leniency and set Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong free so he can do his best on the front lines of management."

As of 8:30 a.m. on the 4th, the petition had gained over 27,000 supporters, surpassing the 100-supporter threshold required for public disclosure, and is currently under review by administrators.

Vice Chairman Lee was indicted in February 2017 on charges including bribery to former President Park Geun-hye and was sentenced to prison in the first trial. In February 2018, he was released on probation in the second trial. In August 2019, the Supreme Court remanded the case, and on the 30th of last month, the retrial closing arguments were held at the Seoul High Court. Vice Chairman Lee is awaiting the final verdict for the 'state power abuse retrial' scheduled for the 18th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.