Cheong "Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong Expected to Meet Public Demand for Semiconductors and Vaccines" (Comprehensive)

Cheong explains background of President Moon's 'choice for national interest'... "We hope the public understands"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics may feel the same way, but from the perspective of the President and the Blue House, there are public demands regarding (semiconductors and COVID-19 vaccines), so they expect him to play a role that can meet those demands."

A Blue House official conveyed this on the 13th regarding the background of describing Vice Chairman Lee's parole as a 'choice for national interest.'

Park Soo-hyun, the Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication, expressed the position on Vice Chairman Lee's parole during a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center that day. Although the statement was issued under Park's name, the Blue House explained that it reflected President Moon Jae-in's intention. When a reporter asked if the announcement represented the Blue House's stance, the official replied, "It is President Moon's position."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, Senior Secretary Park conveyed President Moon's intention, saying, "I will share the position on Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's parole. We are well aware that there are both supportive and opposing opinions regarding Vice Chairman Lee's parole. The opinions of citizens who oppose it are also valid."

Park emphasized President Moon's intention, stating, "In this severe crisis, especially in the semiconductor and vaccine sectors, many citizens are requesting parole, expecting his role. We accept this as a choice for national interest and hope the public will understand."

Vice Chairman Lee's parole is a matter that divides opinions even within the ruling party and among President Moon's supporters. The Blue House has so far refrained from commenting, stating that the Ministry of Justice should make a judgment based on law and principles. However, some opposition parties like the Justice Party have insisted that the President should clarify his position, and some of President Moon's supporters have also agreed on the need for an explanation.

This implies that President Moon should express his stance on Vice Chairman Lee's parole in some form. The President has focused on Vice Chairman Lee's role amid the global economic crisis. It is a message urging Vice Chairman Lee to contribute to strengthening Korea's semiconductor competitiveness and securing COVID-19 vaccines.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who was released on parole after 207 days of re-imprisonment, is leaving Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province on the 13th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung, Uiwang aymsdream@

A Blue House official said, "The justification for citizens supporting or requesting Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's parole, as mentioned, is the establishment of a global semiconductor supply chain, follow-up measures after the Korea-US summit, and the critical situation of COVID-19 requiring vaccine procurement roles. These have been the grounds for requesting parole."

The official explained, "There have been demands for the President to clarify his position. This announcement answers those demands."

Regarding the role in the vaccine sector, the Blue House official said, "The President has not specifically mentioned anything else. However, the statement contains various meanings."

Within the Blue House, there has been ongoing deliberation about the timing of expressing a position on Vice Chairman Lee's parole. A Blue House official explained, "The Blue House comprehensively judged when to make a statement, and since Vice Chairman Lee was actually paroled today, we decided to speak today. The timing was judged comprehensively."

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