Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was released from jail on parole on Friday. 

Lee left the Seoul Detention Center at around 10:05 a.m., seven months after he was rearrested to serve out two-and-a-half years in prison for bribing former President Park Geun-hye. He will be on probation until July of next year. 

He told waiting reporters that he has caused too much anxiety to the public and deeply apologizes. He said he knows well the concerns, criticisms and expectations for him and that he will do his best. 

Under the relevant law, he should report to the parole office in advance if he plans to change residence or leave the country for more than a month. 

He also cannot return to the management of Samsung Electronics as those convicted of crimes such as embezzlement are not allowed to work at previous employment closely linked to their conviction for five years following the completion of the sentence. 
 
The 53-year-old has served 60 percent of his term, the requisite time period to be eligible for parole, as he was behind bars for a year after a lower court trial. 

On Monday, the Justice Ministry announced a list of 810 people, including the Samsung heir, who qualified for parole ahead of Liberation Day, which falls on Sunday.