[2026 National Assembly Audit] Lee Jinsoo: “Lee Hwayoung Not Eligible for Parole Review... Fails to Meet Basic Requirements”

Asked whether he had received parole requests, he said, "No"
"At least one-third of each of the two sentences must be served"
Serving a prison sentence in the Ssangbangwool remittances-to-North-Korea case

Acting Justice Minister Lee Jinsoo said on October 8 that Lee Hwa-young, a former vice governor for peace of Gyeonggi Province who is serving a prison sentence in connection with the Ssangbangwool remittances to North Korea case, is “not eligible for parole review.”

Vice Minister of Justice Lee Jinsu speaks during a meeting of the First Subcommittee on Bill Review of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on July 10, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

During the National Assembly’s audit of the Ministry of Justice by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee that day, Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party asked whether Lee had received any inquiries or requests related to parole for the former vice governor from the presidential office or ruling party officials. Lee replied, “No.”

Asked about the possibility of parole for Lee, the acting minister said, “He is not eligible for parole review under the requirements.” Under the Criminal Act, a person serving a fixed-term sentence must have served one-third of the term to meet the legal requirements for parole.

When People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo asked whether Lee had applied for parole, the acting minister said he had not been able to confirm that. He added, however, “Lee has been sentenced to two terms and does not meet the basic requirement of having served at least one-third of each sentence.”

Asked whether parole is ever granted while an accomplice’s trial is ongoing, the acting minister replied, “I cannot comment when the basic requirements have not been met.”

Lee’s side is reportedly continuing to claim that the remittances-to-North-Korea case was fabricated and has recently been publicly calling for his parole. Lee was indicted on charges including involvement in former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae’s payment of a total of $8 million on behalf of then-Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, including funds for a North Korean smart farm project in 2019 and expenses for Lee Jae-myung’s visit to North Korea. The Supreme Court finalized Lee’s prison sentence in June 2025.

Asked whether there was reason to view the case as a “fabricated indictment,” the acting minister said, “The Committee for the Future of the Prosecution Service, with Respect for Human Rights, is conducting an investigation. It is being conducted independently, so I do not know its progress.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.