They say, “Buddha's birthday special pardons are necessary to overcome the economic crisis"

With the Moon Jae-in government's last special pardon being mentioned ahead of the Buddha's Birthday, which falls on May 8, the nation’s five business organizations have petitioned for amnesty and reinstatement for some entrepreneurs, including Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin.

The five economic organizations, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses, said they submitted a petition to Cheong Wa Dae and the Justice Ministry on April 25 for "special pardon and reinstatement for some businessmen for economic development and national unity" ahead of the Buddha's birthday.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (left) and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (left) and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin were included in the list of people eligible for the pardon. Earlier, the five economic organizations received corporate applications for the amnesty, and selected businessmen who had already served their sentences or served most of their sentences, and businessmen who were sentenced to probation. It is known that there are less than 20 subjects.

The KCCI cited the reason for the petition, saying, "While the global economy is facing a great turning point, the national economy is in an unknown crisis due to COVID-19, the U.S.-China conflict, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and we thought that we needed the dedication of competent businessmen to overcome this crisis and secure future competitiveness."

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