16 Businesspeople Included in Pardons
Choi Jisung, Jang Choongki, Park Sangjin, and Hyun Jaehyun Reinstated
Former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, along with his wife, former Dongyang University professor Chung Kyungsim, former Democratic Party lawmakers Choi Kangwook and Youn Meehyang, former Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Heeyeon, and former Vice Minister of Justice Lee Yonggu, were among the pro-government figures granted the first special pardon under the Lee Jaemyung administration. Lee Hwaryoung, former Vice Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, who recently made a direct request for pardon and reinstatement in connection with the 'North Korea remittance' case, was not included on the list of those pardoned. Sixteen business figures, including Choi Shinwon, former chairman of SK Networks, were also granted reinstatement.
The government announced on the 11th that, ahead of Liberation Day, it would grant special pardons effective on the 15th to a total of 836,687 people, including former leader Cho. By category, the breakdown is as follows: 1,922 general criminal offenders (including 2 under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defense), 10 individuals given special consideration, 24 people held in workhouses, 27 politicians and high-ranking officials, 16 businesspeople, 42 small and medium-sized business owners and self-employed individuals, 184 union members, street vendors, and farmers, and 440 people working in driving-related occupations.
This round of pardons included a large number of pro-government figures who had been investigated by prosecutors and convicted during the Moon Jaein and Yoon Sukyeol administrations. The list of those pardoned includes former leader Cho and his wife, former lawmakers Choi and Youn, former superintendent Cho, Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Kunyoung, former Blue House civil affairs secretary Baek Wonwoo, and former Minister of Environment Kim Eunkyung. Former leader Cho has been serving a two-year prison sentence since his conviction in December last year for charges related to his child's university admissions and covering up a presidential office inspection. He is scheduled for release in December next year, with more than a year remaining on his sentence. Former professor Chung received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, from the Supreme Court last December for forging documents related to her son's university applications and submitting them to his high school homeroom teacher.
Former lawmaker Choi was convicted of issuing a false internship certificate to former leader Cho's son, while former lawmaker Youn lost her parliamentary seat after being convicted of embezzling donations from the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeongdaehyeop). Lawmaker Yoon Kunyoung was convicted of registering a false internship, former secretary Baek was convicted of covering up an inspection related to Yoo Jaesoo, former Busan vice mayor for economic affairs, former minister Kim was convicted of creating a blacklist at the Ministry of Environment, and former superintendent Cho was convicted of the unfair special hiring of dismissed teachers.
From the opposition, former lawmakers Hong Moonjong, Chung Chanmin, and Shim Hakbong were included among those pardoned and reinstated. These individuals were mentioned in a text message sent by Song Eonseok, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, to Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary.
Among business figures, Choi Shinwon, former chairman of SK Networks, was released through the pardon. Choi was convicted in May by the Supreme Court and sentenced to two years and six months in prison for embezzling and committing breach of trust totaling 223.5 billion won from six SK affiliates, including SK Networks, SKC, and SK Telesys, under the pretense of promoting a private golf course business, paying false salaries to family and relatives, paying for a private capital increase, and supporting insolvent affiliates.
Former Samsung Electronics executives who were convicted of bribery and other charges in connection with the 'Choi Soon-sil government corruption scandal' were also reinstated. These include Choi Jisung, former head of Samsung Electronics Future Strategy Office (vice chairman); Jang Choongki, former deputy head of the office (president); Park Sangjin, former president in charge of external cooperation; and Hwang Seongsu, former executive vice president in charge of external cooperation. Hyeon Jaehyeon, former chairman of Dongyang Group, and Park Inkyu, former president of Daegu Bank, who were sentenced to seven years in prison for issuing short-term corporate bonds (CP) and corporate bonds to general investors while concealing insolvency risks, were also included.
Among those held in workhouses for failing to pay fines on time, 24 individuals deemed to have a low risk of reoffending were selected for pardon. Ten individuals given special consideration, including inmates with young children, those convicted of theft for livelihood reasons, and the elderly, were also given a new opportunity. Minister of Justice Jeong Seongho stated, "This round of pardons focused on providing an opportunity for national unity and revitalizing the economy," adding, "We hope that this first pardon since the launch of the government of popular sovereignty will help heal social conflicts and achieve national integration."
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