President Moon to Seek Meeting with Heads of 4 Major Groups... Will He Express Opinion on 'Lee Jae-yong Pardon'?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] It is reported that President Moon Jae-in is planning to invite the heads or representatives of the four major conglomerates to the Blue House on the 2nd of next month. Attention is also focused on whether opinions on the pardon of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong will be expressed at this meeting.

According to the business community on the 30th, the invitees include Chairman Chey Tae-won of SK, Chairman Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group, and Chairman Koo Kwang-mo of LG Group. At Samsung Electronics, Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam may attend in place of Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong.

This will be the first time since his inauguration that President Moon holds a separate luncheon with the heads of the four major conglomerates. This meeting is a result of these four major companies contributing to the achievements at the Korea-US summit, including announcing a $44 trillion investment plan in the United States.

Amid rising calls for Vice Chairman Lee's pardon from various sectors of society and the political world, attention is focused on whether President Moon will express his stance on this issue.

The meeting is expected to involve discussions on future industry investments recently emphasized by President Moon, such as semiconductors and 5G, and in this process, the issue of Vice Chairman Lee's pardon is likely to be naturally raised. The five economic organizations, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry chaired by Chairman Chey, who is among the invitees, have previously recommended Lee's pardon.

In the business and political circles, the Liberation Day special pardon period is reportedly being strongly mentioned as the timing for Vice Chairman Lee's pardon.

Although the Blue House has maintained the position of "no plans to consider" so far, at the 4th anniversary commemorative meeting held earlier this month, President Moon said, "I will listen to the opinions of the people and make a judgment," leaving the possibility open. Lee Ho-seung, the Blue House Policy Chief, stated in a radio interview on the 25th that "there will be separate considerations."

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