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Samsung's Lee Jae-yong released on parole

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong bows his head in apology as he speaks to reporters outside the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi, at 10 a.m. Friday. [YONHAP]

Samsung's leader Lee Jae-yong was released on parole on Friday.

“I’ve caused so much concern to the public,” Lee told reporters outside the jail. “I’m really sorry. I’m well aware of [people’s] concerns and criticisms about me. I will do my best.”

He did not answer questions about the management of Samsung group and its semiconductor business.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee was released from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi, at 10 a.m. Friday after having been confined for 207 days for bribing former President Park Geun-hye during her presidency in return for political favors.

He was one of 810 prisoners released ahead of the Aug. 15 Liberation Day. Korea often paroles prisoners to mark major national holidays.

Lee had less than a year left in a sentence of two and a half years, which is scheduled to end in July 2022. He will be on probation for that time.

How actively Lee will be involved in Samsung management is unclear as the Justice Ministry has not lifted a ban that bars Lee from returning to work for five years.

The five-year restriction was imposed in February.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]