The release from prison of Samsung’s de facto boss raises eyebrows
Relations between South Korea’s government and its businesses remain cosy
WHEN THE office of Moon Jae-in releases the names of people the South Korean president will pardon on National Liberation Day on August 15th, as is customary, Lee Jae-yong, the de facto boss of Samsung, will not be on the list. That is in keeping with the president’s promise not to use his powers to pardon prominent white-collar criminals “for the good of the economy”, as is also customary.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “The ties that bind”
Asia August 14th 2021
From the August 14th 2021 edition
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