South Korea PM to recommend presidential pardon for convicted Samsung vice chairman

This week, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said he would consider recommending Samsung’s convicted vice chairman Jay Y. Lee for a presidential pardon. Should President Yoon Suk-yeol agree, Lee may receive a pardon by August.

Han was pressed in the South Korean parliament on whether he would recommend Yoon review presidential pardons for business leaders. Han said he would, including recommending Lee to receive a presidential pardon.

Yoon declined to answer when pressed last week. If Yoon agrees, Lee, who was convicted in 2021 of bribery and embezzlement but received parole in August, the pardon for the Samsung Electronics vice chairman and de facto leader of the Samsung Group, would come around South Korea’s Independence Day on August 15.

The pardon would be mostly symbolic as Lee’s prison term would be ending on Friday this week. However, it would allow Lee to carry out business activities. Lee also faces another trial for the allegations of accounting fraud surrounding an $8 million merger of two Samsung firms in 2015.

Meanwhile, South Korean foreign minister Park Jin said Wednesday that North Korea would likely face stronger sanctions, including measures that would counter its cyberattack capabilities, should Pyongyang continue with its nuclear test.

This comes amidst concerns by South Korea and the United States that North Korea is gearing up for its first nuclear test since 2017 after multiple weapons tests that were carried out this year. Park said Pyongyang had completed arrangements for the upcoming test.

“There need to be more strengthened sanctions for North Korean IT workers stationed abroad making funds through illegal cyber hacking activity,” Park said during a news conference.

North Korea is already under numerous sanctions imposed by the United Nations. Park said the UN Security Council is likely going to go for a “stronger, more closely woven” resolution should Pyongyang continue with a nuclear test, including steps to target North Korean hackers.

Seoul and Washington previously said Pyongyang has mobilized thousands of hackers to steal funds, including cryptocurrencies, to finance its weapons. North Korea’s foreign ministry has denied the allegations, saying its weapons programs are for its defences.