[On-site Video] "Welcome Parole" vs "Is This Fair?" Lee Jae-yong Parole Sparks Public Debate

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, PD Jingeun Yoon] "I regret that it is parole, not a pardon." , "I think it is a special favor for chaebols."

On the 13th, in front of the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, there was great confusion between supporters welcoming the parole of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who was released, and opponents.

Kim Kyung-jin (70), who identified himself as a supporter of Vice Chairman Lee, said, "Parole significantly restricts economic activities," and added, "I regret the decision of parole instead of a pardon."

He continued, "Samsung has overcome adversity for over 70 years and become a world-class top-tier company, so is it the country's role to imprison the chairman of such a conglomerate and prevent him from engaging in economic activities?" He appealed, "I hope the country supports Vice Chairman Lee to be able to carry out economic activities. Please do not oppress companies but support them."

On the other hand, Kim Min-ah, in her 20s, who opposed the parole, raised her voice, saying, "I think this is a 'special favor for chaebols,'" and added, "I cannot accept such special favors for chaebols." She further said, "Shouldn't he serve the punishment he deserves before being released?"

Meanwhile, on the same day, Vice Chairman Lee appeared around 10 a.m. after exiting the main gate of the Seoul Detention Center. Standing at the photo line, he said, "I am truly sorry for causing great concern to the people," and added, "I am well aware of the worries, criticisms, concerns, and high expectations directed at me. I will work hard." He left the scene without responding to further questions from the press.

Earlier, on the 9th, the Ministry of Justice held a parole review committee and decided to include Vice Chairman Lee in the final list for parole commemorating Liberation Day. The Ministry of Justice stated that this parole reflected considerations of the prolonged COVID-19 national economic situation and the global economic environment.

Vice Chairman Lee's release comes 207 days after he was re-incarcerated following a 2 years and 6 months sentence in the retrial of the state affairs manipulation case in January. He met the minimum requirement of serving more than 60% of his sentence for parole and was classified as a model prisoner, leading to his final selection for this parole.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.