68.8% Support Lee Jae-yong's Pardon... Poll Shows Support Three Times Higher Than Opposition

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] As President Moon Jae-in approaches retirement, he is considering special pardons for politicians and businesspeople, with 70% expressing support for the pardon of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong.

On the 2nd, the Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI), commissioned by TBS, conducted a survey from the 29th of last month targeting 1,012 people aged 18 and over, asking for opinions on pardons. As a result, 68.8% supported the pardon of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who is being considered for a pardon. Opposition stood at 23.5%, with support nearly three times higher.

The 'Hyupsunghoe,' a group of Samsung Electronics partner companies, submitted a petition on the 29th of last month to the Blue House and the Ministry of Justice requesting a special pardon and reinstatement for Vice Chairman Lee. Separately, five major economic organizations?the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, the Korea Employers Federation, and the Korea Federation of Medium-sized Enterprises?also petitioned the Blue House and the Ministry of Justice for a special pardon for Vice Chairman Lee ahead of Buddha’s Birthday, raising voices demanding his pardon and reinstatement.

On the other hand, support for the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak was 40.4%, with opposition at 51.7%, meaning that opposition to the pardon exceeded half. Also, for former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who is being considered for a pardon, support was 28.8%, with opposition at 56.9%, twice as much. For the pardon of former Dongyang University professor Jung Kyung-shim, spouse of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, support was 30.5%, with opposition at 57.2%.

Meanwhile, this survey was conducted using a wireless automated response method utilizing virtual phone numbers (safe numbers). The sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

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