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Lee Jae Yong, Samsung’s heir, and vice-chairman has been in jail since January of this year after the high court sentenced him to two years and a half for bribery and embezzlement involving former South Korean President Park Geun Hye. On Monday, Aug. 9, the country’s justice ministry confirmed that the billionaire qualified for parole, and he will be released from jail this coming Friday, as per CNBC.
Prior to the parole, many government officials and business leaders have endorsed Lee Jae Yong’s pardon. The latter even sent in a petition to President Moon Jae In’s office so he can be released as soon as possible as his absence in Samsung is also affecting businesses. They also said that the company plays an important role in the country’s economy, especially now that the demand for tech and semiconductor parts worldwide is high.
Moreover, it was mentioned that many ordinary Korean citizens are also in favor of freeing Samsung’s Lee Jae Yong so he can go back to the office and attend to his work at hand. In any case, Justice Minister Park Beom Kye explained that the decision to grant parole was made based on matters related to the “national economic situation and the global economic environment” in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The decision to grant Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee parole was the result of a comprehensive review of various factors such as public sentiment and good behavior during detention,” the ministry said. “The committee decided to grant parole considering the current conditions in the global business environment,”
Samsung’s de facto chief is one of the 800 prisoners who will be released on Aug. 15 as part of the tradition where the South Korean government grants clemency to qualified people on the day of the country’s Liberation Day.
Finally, while Lee Jae Yong will walk free this week, The Korea Herald reported that he is still facing litigation for two other different cases. He still needs to undergo trial for alleged violations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud in addition to illegal use of the prescription drug propofol.
