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Controversy continues over whether Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, was released eleven months earlier than the original due date of release. Justice Minister Park Beom-gye said that the procedure was carried out in accordance with the parole requirements, but civic groups as well as presidential candidates for the passport are raising their voices of criticism, saying that it is a privilege of the chaebol.



Reporter Bae Jun-woo.



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Justice Minister Park Beom-gye, who left the position without any explanation after announcing the decision to release Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, responded a day late, arguing that it was preferential treatment for the chaebol.



[Park Beom-gye/Minister of Justice: I emphasize again that the parole was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the parole laws and that it is not just for Mr. Jae-yong Lee.]



Economic groups such as the Korea Employers Federation also welcomed the decision, saying that the national economic development is expected with the decision of the parole of Vice Chairman Lee. .



However, the criticism of chaebol preferential treatment has not subsided.



In the political circles, the ruling party presidential candidates publicly criticized the parole decision, saying it was "shameful" and "preferential treatment for a slim fit", and civic groups raised the theory of responsibility at the Blue House.



The Solidarity for Participation called for an apology, saying that President Moon Jae-in broke his promise to limit the chaebol's amnesty and hid behind the Ministry of Justice. The Blue House has pointed out that the Blue House is trying to distance itself from this parole decision.



Controversy continued over the employment restrictions following the decision to release Vice Chairman Lee on parole.



The Ministry of Justice notified Vice-President Lee of the employment restriction in February last year.



Minister Park Bum-gye drew the line that he had never thought about the employment restrictions for Vice Chairman Lee.



However, as Vice Chairman Lee has been working as an unregistered executive since last year, there is an opinion that it is questionable whether lifting the employment restrictions is necessary for business activities.



(Video coverage: Seo Jin-ho, video editing: Park Jin-hoon, CG: Seo Hyun-joong)