Lee Jae-yong Pardon, Political Circles Also Watching Closely

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Lee Hyun-joo] The political sphere is also on high alert regarding the parole decision for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Until now, the ruling and opposition parties, which had shown clear differences in opinion on Lee’s parole, are holding back their comments ahead of the Ministry of Justice’s parole review committee meeting scheduled to be held privately at 2 p.m. on the 9th. Only the Justice Party held a press conference on the day, strongly criticizing the parole review for Lee.

Both ruling and opposition party leadership showed a cautious stance without issuing any particular position on Lee’s parole that day. This is interpreted as a judgment that mentioning it in an unconfirmed situation itself would be burdensome. Many members of Cheoreomhoe, a strong pro-Moon Jae-in first-term lawmakers’ group within the Democratic Party, hold negative views but have not issued an official stance.

On the same day, Democratic Party presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on Gwangju MBC Radio, “It seems that the majority of the public supports parole because it meets the legal requirements and because if Samsung makes new investments or if Vice Chairman Lee plays a role in international competition through parole, it could be more advantageous.” He added, “The government has accepted the will of the people.”

The People Power Party is also watching the parole review results with tension. The party’s position is that the decision is inevitable as a measure to overcome economic crises such as semiconductor supply instability. Most of the People Power Party’s presidential candidates have expressed support. Internally, if Lee’s parole is granted this time, there is cautious speculation about the possibility of pardons for two former presidents around the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Justice Party held a “Press Conference Urging the Ministry of Justice to Deny Lee Jae-yong’s Parole” at the Gwacheon Government Complex, pressuring the Ministry of Justice. Kang Min-jin, leader of the Youth Justice Party, began a one-person sit-in and said, “The parole review committee must not succumb to political pressure to release Vice Chairman Lee,” adding, “From today, I will not leave in front of the Ministry of Justice until Lee’s parole is denied.”

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