President faces backlash over Samsung chief's release

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, left, walks out of the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, Friday, after being released on parole. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Moon stresses 'national interest,' asks for 'public understanding'

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Moon Jae-in asked for “public understanding” Friday on Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's release from prison, in response to growing criticisms from liberal civic groups that the President has abandoned the “value of fairness and justice” which had been a major part of his election campaign platform.

“I am fully aware of the pros and cons regarding Vice Chairman Lee's release on parole,” Moon was quoted as saying by senior presidential secretary for public communication Park Soo-hyun in a press briefing. “I accept the release as a choice for the national interest and hope for the public to understand it.”

Moon said that those opposing Lee's parole are also saying the right things, but the people who called for Lee's parole are expecting him to play a role in developing the semiconductor industry and helping the nation secure more COVID-19 vaccines.

Park Soo-hyun, senior presidential secretary for public communication, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday. Yonhap

The comment came hours after Lee was released on parole from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, four days after the Ministry of Justice granted parole to Lee and 809 other inmates marking National Liberation Day on Aug. 15.

Lee, the head of Korea's largest conglomerate, has been in prison since January after a guilty verdict was confirmed on charges of bribery and embezzlement involving impeached and jailed former President Park Geun-hye. The bribery scandal resulted in nationwide candlelit rallies from 2016 to 2017, playing a pivotal role in ousting Park and Moon being elected.

After the ministry announced Lee's release plan, calls have been growing from liberal civic groups and progressive politicians for Moon to explain the rationale behind the decision, but the presidential office kept silent on the issue, saying it was a decision by the justice ministry's parole commission.

Members of civic groups supporting and opposing Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's parole stage protests in front of the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, Friday, when Lee was released from te prison. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Hours before Cheong Wa Dae announced its stance on the parole, representatives of 1,056 labor, human rights and civic organizations here held a press conference criticizing Moon for releasing Lee while refusing to explain the rationale behind the decision.

“Lee Jae-yong, who is an accomplice in former President Park's scandal, was released,” they said during the press conference near Cheong Wa Dae. “It took only 207 days for the criminal to be freed. The 'spirit of candlelight,' which had filled the plazas near Cheong Wa Dae, is now gone, along with fairness and justice. The remainders are only the shadows of the 'Republic of Chaebol.' We will clearly remember that Moon defiled the Constitution.”

National interest

As Moon asks for public understanding for the sake of national interest, debates are now focused on what will be the actual national interest that Lee will improve after his release.

“Those who demand Lee's parole have been citing his expected contribution to Korea's role in the global semiconductor supply chain, which was agreed in the Korea-U.S. summit in May, and his role in securing COVID-19 vaccines for Korea,” a Cheong Wa Dae official said. “From the perspective of the President and Cheong Wa Dae, the public has such demands, and we also expect Lee to meet their expectations.”

A vehicle transporting Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong enters the company's office in Seocho District, Seoul, Friday, when Lee was released from prison on parole. Yonhap