Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye on Lee Jae-yong Special Treatment Controversy: "Parole Is Not for Lee Jae-yong"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye rebutted criticism that the parole of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was a special favor, saying, "This parole is not only for Lee Jae-yong."

Minister Park said to reporters as he entered the Ministry of Justice Government Gwacheon Building after the Cabinet meeting on the 10th, "The procedure was carried out according to the parole requirements, and Lee Jae-yong is no exception."

He continued, "The criteria for selecting preliminary parole review candidates have been lowered, so now those with a prison term served rate of 50% or more become eligible," emphasizing, "This is not a special favor."

However, he added, "Since attention is being paid to Lee Jae-yong’s prison term served rate of 60%, we will significantly expand parole review opportunities for inmates with a prison term served rate of 60% or higher, unless there are special circumstances."

He also said, "The occupancy rate of correctional facilities in our country is 110%, which is rare worldwide. Step by step, efforts are needed to reach 105%, and ultimately 100%," and reiterated, "I emphasize again that this parole is not only for Lee Jae-yong."

After the Ministry of Justice decided on the parole of Vice Chairman Lee the previous day, labor unions and civic groups strongly criticized the Ministry of Justice, saying it lowered the parole review standards and gave special favors.

Minister Park also added that Lee’s parole and the lifting of employment restrictions are unrelated. He said, "Since social sentiment is an element in the parole requirements, it considered the global economic environment and external credibility, but employment restrictions are a separate issue," and said that lifting employment restrictions was "not considered."

When asked whether there was prior coordination with the Blue House, he said, "Parole is carried out according to the procedures and system of the Ministry of Justice." Regarding criticism that the prosecution’s opposing opinion was not reflected, he replied, "Parole is the policy of the Ministry of Justice."

Regarding former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae’s criticism calling it a "double judicial special favor," he said, "That is her opinion," and refrained from further comment, saying, "What can I say?"

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