Former Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung, who was serving a prison sentence for the so-called 'Ministry of Environment blacklist' case, was released on parole.
Former Minister Kim was released from Uijeongbu Prison in Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 12th.
Former Minister Kim told reporters, "Thanks to you for comforting, cheering, and hurting us outside, we had a good time." He added, "Review what the people who lit the candle were thinking, and how to move toward a sustainable society in times of crisis. It was time to study,” he said.
Regarding the blacklist of the agency where the conviction was made, he added, "It is not the job of the judiciary to fundamentally resolve this issue."
The parole review committee of the Ministry of Justice held a meeting earlier this month and included former Minister Kim on the list of parole candidates.
Former Minister Kim was sentenced to two years in prison last January on charges of receiving the resignation from executives of public institutions under the Ministry of Environment who were appointed during the Park Geun-hye administration and appointing figures appointed by the Blue House or the Ministry of Environment to succeed them.
(Photo = Yonhap News)