The head of the giant electronics company Samsung will probably not only celebrate his company’s “Unpacked Event” today. After all, the quasi-CEO of the South Korean smartphone and TV giant is allowed to leave prison as an (almost) free man in the course of a pardon. Thus, Lee Jae-Yong benefits from the annual pardons that the South Korean Ministry of Justice decides and announces on the occasion of the National Day.
Jail release on August 13
Originally, the quasi-chief of Samsung was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Now he may leave the Swedish curtains behind him. But then he is not yet considered a truly free man. After all, the rest of his sentence turns into a suspended sentence. The decision of the Ministry of Justice, led by Park Beom-Kye, was justified by the still ongoing Corona pandemic. It was simply no longer acceptable that Samsung, as one of the most successful South Korean companies, did not currently have adequate leadership. The Justice Minister feels that the impact on the national and international economy is too severe. Since the quasi-CEO showed his positive side in prison with social compatibility and a cooperative behavior, there would be nothing to prevent a pardon.
Competition overcome
In the process, Lee emerged from extensive competition. In all, 1,057 inmates had a chance at a pardon. Given the risk of recurrence, however, the Justice Department’s decision is not without controversy. After all, this was the second time Samsung’s quasi-chief had been in prison. The reason was a bribe to the previous Samsung president. Perhaps Lee has learned from his mistakes this time.
