By Kim Yoo-chul Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Tuesday that he conveyed to the "parties in charge" requests from the country's business lobby groups for a presidential pardon for Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. "Only the President can grant a pardon. Regarding the possibility of a pardon for Samsung Vice Chairman Lee, I've met with the heads of economic lobby groups for discussions on how to explore ways to achieve an economic recovery, and one of the attendees suggested the idea of pardoning Lee. That message has been forwarded to institutions in charge quite adequately," Minister Hong told lawmakers at the National Assembly.