Kwon Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, "Recommendation to the Government for the Pardon of Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong"

Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, announced on the 16th that he has requested the government to grant a pardon to Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics.

After attending a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and heads of economic organizations held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the afternoon, Chairman Sohn told reporters, "I requested a pardon for Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (to Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki)," adding, "Although it is not under the Deputy Prime Minister's jurisdiction, the government will make the decision."

Chairman Sohn explained, "Other heads of economic organizations also spoke positively about the pardon request," and "(Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki) said he would convey the request in full."

In a recent interview with a media outlet, Sohn Kyung-shik also advocated for Lee's pardon, stating, "Now is a time when Vice Chairman Lee is more necessary than ever for the Korean economy."

Earlier, Oh Kyu-seok, Mayor of Busan's Gijang County, had requested a pardon for Vice Chairman Lee from President Moon Jae-in in February of this year, and on the 15th, he reiterated the request, reflecting ongoing demands for Lee's pardon across various sectors of society.