Lee prepares to pardon 1.5 million

President Lee Myung-bak said yesterday he plans to offer a special pardon next month to 1.5 million citizens convicted of economic crimes.

The presidential amnesty marking Liberation Day will not be extended to public officials and businessmen, he said in a fortnightly address on radio and the internet.

"The Aug. 15 pardon will be given to only those involved in livelihood-related crimes, who are farmers, fishers, poor citizens and in particular people who earn a living by driving but have had their drivers` license suspended," Lee said.

The number will be around 1.5 million, he added.



The nation traditionally celebrates major commemorative holidays with a presidential amnesty.

Lee came under fire last August when he pardoned leaders of large businesses including Hyundai Motors, SK and Hanwha groups convicted of bribery, embezzlement and violence.

Lee used his 20th radio address to delve into a wide range of issues including his centrist politics, education, economy, media reforms, his decision to donate wealth to charity and an upcoming government reshuffle.

He defended the controversial revisions to media laws passed unilaterally last week by the ruling Grand National Party.

"The convergence of broadcasting and communications will generate new technological development," he said. "Korea is in an advantageous position in the global competition (of the converging media market) thanks to its IT technologies," he said.

He dismissed opposition claims that the media laws are aimed at consolidating the dominance by conglomerates and major, largely conservative newspapers of the broadcasting market.

"The time when a particular political force can control the media has passed," he said,

He indicated that the Cabinet reshuffle would not be in a large scale and political factors will not be put into consideration.

"Of course, there could be some people we need to be replaced for the better ... but I believe putting all the blame on those people and replacing them just to avoid a political crisis will lead to a worse outcome under current conditions," he said.

(jjhwang@heraldm.com)



By Hwang Jang-jin