Board to discuss possible parole of president's mother-in-law
 

The Ministry of Justice is set to conduct a parole review next week, with President Yoon Suk Yeol's mother-in-law expected to be included among those up for consideration, local media outlets reported Thursday.

The ministry is slated to hold a monthly session of the Probation and Parole Board next Tuesday, according to reports citing legal sources. Among the inmates undergoing the review will be Choi Eun-soon, the 77-year-old mother of first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Choi has been incarcerated at the Dongbu Detention Center in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul since July last year, when an appellate court confirmed her one-year prison sentence for falsifying her bank balance certificate to make it appear as though she had deposited 34.9 billion won ($25.4 million) in the account for a land purchase deal, as well as for purchasing property using other people's names.

She had applied for bail in September, claiming she was too ill to be detained during the trial, but the Supreme Court dismissed her request and confirmed the earlier ruling.

The South Korean law states that an inmate becomes eligible for parole when they have served at least one-third of their sentence, but it is conventional to be allowed a preliminary parole review after serving at least half of one's sentence.

The ministry board had reviewed her case in February but did not grant her parole. An unsuccessful parole review conventionally excludes an inmate for the subsequent month's review, which is why Choi was not considered for parole in March.

Once cleared for a parole by the board, which is chaired by the vice minister of justice, an inmate has to be approved by the justice minister.

In the event that her case is approved by the ministry, Choi would be released on parole on April 30.

Source: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Make-8-comprehension-w3Dqx9PzRFmc.ftLCOTRyw

Comprehension

When is the Ministry of Justice set to conduct a parole review?
Who is expected to be included in the parole review?
How long has Choi Eun-soon been incarcerated, and why?
What did Choi Eun-soon do that led to her imprisonment?
What is the South Korean law regarding an inmate's eligibility for parole?
Why was Choi Eun-soon not considered for parole in March?
Who needs to approve an inmate's parole after they are cleared by the board?
When would Choi Eun-soon be released on parole if her case is approved?

Discussion

What do you think about the South Korean law regarding an inmate's eligibility for parole?
Do you think Choi Eun-soon should be granted parole? Why or why not?
Do you think it's fair for an inmate's parole to be reviewed monthly?
What are your thoughts on the punishment Choi Eun-soon received for her actions?
Do you think the justice system should consider an inmate's health when deciding on parole?
Have you ever had a personal experience with the justice system? If so, how did it affect you?
Do you think the justice system is fair in your country?
What do you think can be done to improve the justice system in your country?
Should the president or first lady's family members receive special treatment in the justice system?
What are your thoughts on the use of parole in the justice system?

Vocabulary

Parole - the release of a prisoner before the end of their sentence on the condition that they behave well and report regularly to the authorities.
Incarcerated - imprisoned or confined.
Falsified - make a false or forged document or statement.
Appellate court - a court that has the power to review decisions made by lower courts.
Land purchase deal - the buying or selling of land.
Bail - a sum of money that a court requires as a guarantee that a person will return for trial.
Eligible - qualified or suitable to be chosen.
Conventional - following the usual customs or rules.