"Betrayal of Candlelight Citizens" vs "People's Will"... Divided Ruling and Opposition Presidential Candidates on 'Lee Jae-yong's Parole'

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who is serving time for the political scandal, will be released on parole on the 13th in celebration of Liberation Day. The photo shows Vice Chairman Lee being released from Seoul Detention Center after the appeal trial verdict of the 'political scandal' on February 5, 2018. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] On the 9th, opinions among ruling and opposition presidential candidates diverged over the Ministry of Justice's decision to grant parole to Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. The positions of the Democratic Party presidential candidates were largely divided, while the People Power Party candidates generally welcomed the decision but urged responsibility for economic recovery.

Earlier that day, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye held a briefing at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Gwacheon Complex regarding the Liberation Day commemorative parole, stating, "Vice Chairman Lee was included in this parole considering the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the national economic situation and the global economic environment," and added, "The parole decision for Vice Chairman Lee was made after comprehensively considering various factors such as social sentiment and acceptance attitudes."

In response, the presidential campaign of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung stated, "There should be no special treatment or disadvantage simply because someone is a chaebol, and fairness is a consistent belief of candidate Lee Jae-myung," adding, "Since this is a conditional release, not a pardon, regarding the charges of collusion in the state affairs manipulation, we hope Lee Jae-yong shows remorse and reform in line with public opinion."

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, "We must now move toward an innovative economy in the post-COVID era. Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong should carefully consider the will of the government and the people," advising, "I hope he deeply reflects on past mistakes, breaks away from outdated management, and contributes to the development of South Korea's innovative economy, which is the way to atone to the people."

Assemblyman Kim Doo-kwan criticized strongly, saying, "The Ministry of Justice decided on Lee Jae-yong's parole amid manipulations by conservative media and tacit consent from presidential candidates. This is truly regrettable," and added, "It signals the Democratic Party's betrayal of the candlelight citizens and alliance with the vested interest cartel."

In particular, Assemblyman Kim said, "I did not expect much from candidate Lee Nak-yeon, who long ago was seen as co-opted by chaebol vested interests, even mentioning pardons for two former presidents. However, I cannot help but be disappointed that candidate Lee Jae-myung, who advocates for alleviating the strong and promoting the weak and fairness as his political philosophy, has not explicitly opposed this."

Assemblyman Park Yong-jin emphasized, "I have repeatedly expressed opposition. A 0.1% special parole for a chaebol head is not fair."

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae stated, "Despite being a national representative company that grew with the love of the people and all kinds of special favors and support, the Ministry of Justice granted early parole for the accomplice in the collusion of political and economic powers who became a honey pot for the state affairs manipulation forces for 2 years and 6 months. This amounts to double judicial privilege," and added, "It is regrettable that the Ministry of Justice lightly threw away fairness as if it were down feathers."

The camp of former party leader Lee Nak-yeon has not yet issued any official statement.

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is announcing the results of the Ministry of Justice Parole Review Committee's decision on whether to grant parole to Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong at the Ministry of Justice briefing room in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, People Power Party presidential candidates expressed welcome while emphasizing responsibility for economic recovery. Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo said, "I welcome Vice Chairman Lee's release. I hope he will surely win the upcoming semiconductor war," and urged, "Please also decide on the suspension of sentence execution for former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye."

The camp of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl briefly mentioned, "The parole decision was made according to established conditions and procedures. We respect that decision."

The camp of former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung said, "Since the decision was made considering the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the national economic situation and the global economic environment, Vice Chairman Lee and Samsung must bear great responsibility for the national economy," they urged.

Former Assemblyman Yoo Seung-min said, "Samsung should fulfill its heavy responsibility for our economy through innovation," while emphasizing, "Going forward, collusion between politics and business and the resulting power-type corruption must completely disappear from our society."

Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong stated, "Vice Chairman Lee's parole is a decision made by the people after deep anguish," and added, "I hope he repays the people by wholeheartedly dedicating himself to economic revival."