Park Beom-gye "Presidential Pardon on Gwangbokjeol for Former Presidents Seems Difficult"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] This year, it is highly unlikely that former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye will receive special pardons on Liberation Day. Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye expressed once again that the possibility of special pardons for the two former presidents on August 15 is low.

On the 4th, Minister Park told reporters on his way to the Ministry of Justice, "From the practical minister's standpoint, I don't think pardons for the two former presidents will happen this time."

He added, "If the President gives instructions, the Ministry of Justice will immediately follow the prescribed procedures, but I don't think that will happen," and noted, "The President is currently focused on quarantine measures and people's livelihoods."

He also viewed special pardons for livelihood-related offenders this Liberation Day as unlikely. Minister Park explained, "A one-point pardon is not easy, and if we were to grant livelihood pardons, the scale would be extensive, so it would take more than a month just to set the criteria," adding, "I think a Liberation Day pardon will be difficult."

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, who is serving time for the 'state affairs manipulation' case, is likely to be eligible for parole on Liberation Day. Lee has served 60% of his total 2 years and 6 months sentence, meeting the requirements for parole.