Lee was released a year ago, so the pardon is mostly symbolic. According to the president, Lee had the right to work at Samsung. The South Korean Ministry of Justice said that its help was needed to cope with a “national economic crisis”. The grace will allow Lee to rejoin the board of the South Korean tech giant.
In order
Lee is now expected to put things in order at Samsung, ranging from governance reforms to deal closing. The company is facing major challenges due to, among other things, declining consumer demand due to high inflation.
Initially, Lee was sentenced to 30 months in prison, but due to good behavior and pressure from public opinion, he was released earlier. Conditions were attached to that release. For example, Lee was not allowed to join the company for a period of five years. Those conditions are now due to expire.