First Prison Birthday in 4 Years Since 2017
Scheduled Full Release in July Next Year... Possible Third 'Prison Birthday'
Recent Discussions on Pardon and Parole Among Business and Political Circles
Song Young-gil: "I Understand the Blue House Is Deeply Considering It"
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is attending the retrial sentencing hearing of the state affairs manipulation case held at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of January 18. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong will celebrate his 53rd birthday in detention on the 23rd. Vice Chairman Lee, who has been incarcerated at Seoul Detention Center since January, will mark his 'birthday behind bars' for the first time in four years since 2017.
Amid recent speculation in the business and political circles about the possibility of Lee's pardon, he is expected to continue his usual detention life on this birthday as well.
Born in 1968, Lee's birthday is June 23. Currently serving his sentence, he will celebrate his 53rd birthday in prison.
Earlier, on January 18, Lee was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison and taken into custody in the retrial of the 'state affairs manipulation' case. Since then, he has been serving his sentence at Seoul Detention Center for over five months and is expected to continue his regular detention life on his birthday, the 23rd.
This will be the second time Lee celebrates his birthday behind bars. Previously, in 2017, he was detained as a suspect in the state affairs manipulation case and was released on probation in the appeal trial in February of the following year. He celebrated his birthday during his detention period at that time.
If Lee is released upon completion of his sentence, he will mark his third 'birthday behind bars' next year. Currently, his scheduled release date is July 2022.
Vice Chairman Lee attending the retrial sentencing hearing of the state corruption case held at the Seoul High Court. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
However, recently, the possibility of a special pardon or parole for Lee has been raised mainly in business and political circles, leading to speculation that he may return to management soon.
Earlier, Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, urged for Lee's pardon at a board meeting on the 14th, saying, "I hope an opportunity for Vice Chairman Lee to serve the country and the people will be created as soon as possible amid intensifying global semiconductor competition."
In the political sphere, voices are emerging that Lee's early return to management should be considered to accelerate economic recovery after COVID-19 and strengthen competitiveness in the semiconductor industry.
Yoon Gun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and considered President Moon Jae-in's 'right-hand man,' said in a recent interview with MBC Radio, "It seems to be a process of listening to various opinions regarding Lee's pardon," and added, "I think the President is giving it serious thought."
Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, said in an interview with 'Yonhap News' on the 6th, "It doesn't necessarily have to be limited to a pardon; it can also be resolved through parole," emphasizing, "The important thing is that Lee is detained and unable to act, and isn't it the case that investment happens only when Lee is out?"
He added, "There is growing public consensus that Lee should come out and work in disaster situations such as semiconductors and COVID-19 vaccines, and I understand that the Blue House is deeply considering this," concluding, "I understand the Blue House's position."
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