Civil Society Groups: "Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's Parole Goes Against Candlelight Protests... Denies Moon Government's Existence"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A total of 1,056 labor, human rights, and civil society organizations, including People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, opposed the parole of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong.

On the 3rd, they held an online press conference at the Areumdri Hall of People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "The parole of Vice Chairman Lee denies the existence of the Moon Jae-in administration and clearly goes against the mandate of the candlelight protests."

They further argued that Vice Chairman Lee's parole could unduly influence the ongoing trials related to Samsung C&T's illegal merger and the propofol administration charges, and that Lee's parole should be viewed separately from Samsung's corporate activities.

These organizations applied for a meeting with Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye and, after the press conference, held one-person protests opposing Lee's release, standing at intervals of about 70 meters around the Gwanghwamun to Blue House area.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice will hold a parole review committee meeting on the 9th to discuss the parole of Vice Chairman Lee and others. Lee met the parole requirements by completing 60% of his sentence at the end of last month.

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