Park Beom-gye, on Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's Parole and Pardon Inquiry: "Never Reviewed"

Hong Nam-ki Acting Prime Minister "Delivered to Relevant Agencies"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is attending the government questioning session on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly on the 19th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] On the 19th, Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, was asked about the possibility of parole or pardon for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and he said, "We have never reviewed it."

During the government questioning session at the National Assembly that day, Minister Park responded to a related inquiry by Kwon Sang-do, a member of the People Power Party, saying, "Apart from the president's statements on semiconductors and policy directions, the issue of Vice Chairman Lee's parole or pardon cannot be reviewed practically unless the president gives a special directive."

When asked whether he thinks South Korea can fight the semiconductor war as it is, Minister Park replied, "South Korea is not a country governed solely by the Ministry of Justice."

When Representative Kwon pointed out, "It is the minister's duty to make recommendations to the president," Minister Park said, "I have not made any recommendations because I have not reviewed it."

When Representative Kwon asked again, "Shouldn't it be reviewed quickly?" Minister Park retorted, "That is your opinion, sir."

On the same day, Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister, responded at the National Assembly regarding the proposal for Lee's pardon, saying, "There was a proposal during a recent meeting held to listen to opinions related to economic recovery," and added, "It is not my decision to make; I have forwarded it to the relevant agencies."