PSPD in English Socio-Economic 2009-12-03   1354

President Lee Makes “Big Deal” with former Chairman of Samsung Corporation

A pardon is granted as an incentive for moving the headquarters of the Samsung Corporation to Sejong City.


Former chairman of Samsung Corporation receiving a 2nd pardon is evidence that he is a step above even the president as head of a conglomerate.


The pardon crushed the dignity of the nation and effectively nullified the systems of constitutionalism and equality of all under the law.


South Korean president Myungbak Lee decided to give a special pardon to former chairman of Samsung Corporation Gunhee Lee. This is surprising because there is no precedent for this case. He was the only person who received such a special pardon, but the justifications are unfair.


Mr. Lee’s special pardon reminded Korean citizens how special he was because he was able to rise above the fundamental social rule that “everyone is equal under the law.”


The expectation of CEOs being pardoned by the government has proven wrong. This can be explained by the fact that the government has blown their own horn while they excluded entrepreneurs from the Independence Day special pardon list last year. They wouldn’t enjoy being criticized by the public for reversing their own words, after praising their own wares for relieving incompatibility among the social class, as well as complying with the law and order.


In this manner, it would have been difficult for them to permit a special pardon to Lee because it invigorated the economy. Instead, they are disguising the real purpose by mentioning that Lee would play a significant role in attracting the 2018 Olympic Games to be hosted in Pyoengchang. Not only is it the hope of every Korean citizen, but also It would produce fewer complaints since it is the hope of every Korean as well as disguising the real reason – giving preferential treatment to entrepreneurs. But again, it is just a justification for hiding the deal between the Lee administration and the Samsung owner.


The actual reason why the government pardoned Chairman Lee is not because of the Olympics, but because President Lee has required the active assistance of the Samsung Group for government policies before the local election in June next year. President Lee Myung-bak expects the support of the Samsung Group regarding its relocation to Sejong City. Thus, this amnesty is considered a special favor to start up the field of biotechnology, which is Samsung Group’s new business in preparation for thefuture. Therefore, this pardon is “a big deal amnesty” between them.


It is not even fair to pardon for hosting the Winter Olympic Games.


By joining the OCED as well as G20, Korea’s prestige is enhanced.
Korea already hosted or will host various international events such as, of course, the summer Olympic Games as well as the Asian Games, World Cup, the International Track and Field Meet, and EXPO 2012 Yeosu, Korea.


Former President, Lee Kun-hee, was already granted amnesty after his conviction in the Noh Tae-woo slush fund scandal in October 1997 during the National Foundation Day amnesty.
Therefore Former President Lee became a person who was granted amnesty twice.
I am deeply frustrated with the fact that the leader of the Samsung Group has absolute power as he was granted amnesty twice in Korea.


President Lee emphasized the establishment of law. He used the police to confront striking workers at facilities, but he didn’t console the bereaved families of Yong-san squatters who did not need to lose their lives due to the excessive force used by police.
President Lee and the government, however, gave a second gift of amnesty to Samsung and Former President Lee Kun-hee.


Today, the fundamental value of democracy collapsed again. The concept of constitutionalism holds that all people are equal under the law regardless of any factors. Korea should be governed on the basis of this law.


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