"Semiconductor Industry Competition" vs "State Power Abuse Crime" Lee Jae-yong Pardon Sparks Debate

Economy Sector: "World No.1 Position Built Over Time Could Be Lost Overnight"
Civic Groups: "Pardon for Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong Is Unthinkable"

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is attending the retrial sentencing hearing of the state affairs manipulation case held at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on January 18./Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] While calls for a pardon of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong are mounting mainly within the business community, negative views are expressed not only by civil society but also by the government and ruling party. In particular, there are even claims that Lee’s charges are directly linked to former President Park Geun-hye. The perspective is that Lee is not being seen from an economic standpoint amid the US-led semiconductor hegemony competition, but rather as a serious offender who manipulated state affairs.

The ruling party holds the view that a pardon for Lee is premature. On the 28th, Yoon Ho-jung, the Emergency Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in an interview with Chosun Biz regarding the calls for Lee’s pardon, “The issue of (Lee’s) pardon should not be judged solely from an economic perspective.” He added, “Basically, the principle is to minimize the president’s pardon authority.”

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also said in a Yonhap News interview on the 21st about the possibility of Lee’s pardon, “Special pardons are not easy without national consensus. I see it as a process where such discussions are ongoing, but it is difficult to say that consensus has been established.”

The government also shows a cautious stance on Lee’s pardon. On the same day, Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, told reporters on his way to work, “As the Minister of Justice responsible for strict law enforcement, I have not considered (Lee Jae-yong’s pardon).”

The Blue House stated that it is not reviewing the matter. On the 27th, five economic organizations including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Korean Industries, the Korea Federation of SMEs, the Korea International Trade Association, and the Korea Federation of Medium-sized Enterprises officially requested Lee’s pardon, saying, “If bold investment and decisive action are delayed due to the absence of the head of management who must lead in the fiercely competitive semiconductor industry, the world’s No. 1 position we have built could be lost overnight.” In response, the Blue House said, “Regarding the request for Lee Jae-yong’s pardon, there has been no review so far, and there are no plans to review it at this time.”

While the ruling party, government, and Blue House express negative views on Lee’s pardon, civic groups have also clearly opposed it. On the 28th, civic groups such as People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice issued a joint statement saying, “The discussion on Lee’s pardon is not only inconsistent with the purpose of the pardon system but could also shake the principles of our judicial system and economic crime, so it must be stopped immediately.”

A group flag is fluttering in front of the Samsung building in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The groups said, “A pardon for crimes related to state manipulation is not a political issue that requires national consensus, nor is it desirable for our economy and Samsung Group. A pardon for a serious criminal who caused damage to Samsung Group and the National Pension Service for personal gain and illegally lobbied regime insiders is absurd.”

Summarizing the claims of the business community and civic groups, opinions are divided over Lee’s pardon. The business community urges Lee’s pardon citing the US-led semiconductor hegemony competition and the global economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19, while civic groups point out that he is not merely an economic offender but a ‘state manipulation offender.’

Meanwhile, pardons for businesspeople have been granted several times in the past. During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, pardons were granted to Park Yong-sung, chairman of Doosan Group, and Kim Woo-joong, chairman of Daewoo Group. During the Lee Myung-bak administration, in 2008, Chung Mong-koo, honorary chairman (then chairman) of Hyundai Motor Group, and Kim Seung-yeon, chairman of Hanwha Group, were released through special pardons.

In 2009, ahead of the bid for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee was granted a sole pardon on the grounds that a Korean IOC member was needed. During the Park Geun-hye administration, special pardons were granted to Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, and Lee Jae-hyun, chairman of CJ Group.

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