Special pardons 'not in the cards'

By Kang Seung-woo

President Park Geun-hye is not likely to grant special pardons to jailed business leaders ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 19, said the presidential spokesman on Monday.

“There are currently no indications of special pardons being issued from Cheong Wa Dae,” said spokesman Min Kyung-wook at a briefing.

His remarks came amid growing speculation that the President is expected to set free a number of business executives ― SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his younger brother, as well as and the group’s vice chairman Chey Jae-won and LIG Nex1 Vice Chairman Koo Bon-sang, in time for the start of the new lunar year.

In September, two key Cabinet members ― Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan ― suggested that releasing the tycoons could help revive the sagging economy.

Ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung also backed issuance of the pardons last month, citing the nation’s economic difficulties.

Park pledged to exercise the right to give special pardons in an extremely restrictive manner during the presidential campaign in 2012, and since taking office in February 2013 she has not issued any special pardons to politicians and businessmen. Last January, Park granted pardons to 5,925 offenders, including petty criminals and the underprivileged, but politicians and business leaders were excluded from the list.

However, she indicated the possibility of pardons being granted to business leaders during last week’s New Year press conference.

President Park said there should be no reverse discrimination against imprisoned business leaders, as well as any special favors evident in the pardons.

Under law, a convicted person can be released on parole after serving two-thirds of their jail terms.

The SK chairman has been serving a four-year term since January 2013 after being convicted of embezzling 46.5 billion won from its two affiliates.