[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Ministry of Justice's Pardon Review Committee is holding a meeting on the 9th for the first special pardon since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.
The Pardon Review Committee began its session around 11 a.m. at the Ministry of Justice Government Gwacheon Complex to review candidates for the August 15 Liberation Day special pardon. Originally scheduled to start at 9 a.m., the meeting was delayed by two hours due to heavy rain concentrated in the metropolitan area the previous day.
The Pardon Review Committee consists of nine members: four internal personnel from the Ministry of Justice and prosecution, including Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon and Vice Minister Lee Nogong, and five external members. However, the Minister of Justice typically does not participate in the review process.
Minister Han arrived at the complex around 11:44 a.m. and told reporters, "Pardons are the exclusive authority of the President," stating that he would not participate in the meeting. He also said, "I believe the Pardon Review Committee will make a sound judgment." External members refrained from commenting on questions about the review criteria and pardon candidates, saying, "We do not know."
Minister Han will report the results of the pardon candidates selected by the Pardon Review Committee to President Yoon Seok-yeol. The announcement is expected on the 12th.
It is reported that a large number of businesspeople are likely to be included among the special pardon candidates. Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics, Chairman Shin Dong-bin of Lotte Group, Chairman Park Chan-gu of Kumho Petrochemical, and Chairman Lee Jung-geun of Booyoung Group are all likely to be included. Vice Chairman Lee was serving a 2 years and 6 months prison sentence for the ‘state manipulation scandal’ but was released on parole last August 15 Liberation Day.
Among politicians, former President Lee Myung-bak is reportedly likely to be included in the pardon candidates. There is also a possibility of pardoning former Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam, who is serving time for the ‘Druking comment manipulation case,’ but public opinion on pardoning politicians is unfavorable, so it is analyzed that the number of political pardons will be minimized.
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