SEOUL, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Civic groups in South Korea denounced the presidential pardon of former Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee for embezzlement and tax evasion convictions.
"The latest pardon reconfirms a common saying in South Korea that Samsung lies above the law," said economics professor and Executive Director of Solidarity for Economic Reform Kim Sang-jo, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
"There is a privileged class in our society when it comes to law enforcement," a statement issued by a coalition of six civic groups said. The pardon, "will amplify social conflict," the statement said.
President Lee Myung-bak said he pardoned Lee to allow the former chairman to serve on the International Olympic Committee, which is campaigning to bring the 2018 Winter Olympics to South Korea.
The pardon was Lee's second. In 1997, Lee was pardoned of bribery charges. In the more recent case, Lee was convicted of failing to pay $39 million in taxes, after it was alleged he hid money in accounts held under the names of aides. It was also alleged he transferred ownership of company shares to his son Lee Jae-yong at unfairly low prices.
Lee did not serve jail time, but paid the taxes and a $94 million fine, the Times said.
