Again? Again.

The government of South Korea pardoned the incorrigibly corrupt former Chairman of Samsung, again.

President Lee Myung-bak said he pardoned Lee (Kun-hee) to allow the former chairman to serve on the International Olympic Committee, which is campaigning to bring the 2018 Winter Olympics to South Korea.

The pardon was Lee (Kun-hee)'s second.

Ah.

Another national Olympic Committee lives up to their reputation as a den of spoiled patronage once again.

Fine.

The only surprise was that he wasn't welcomed in the IOC as long as his conviction stood, given their history of corruption. The only crime is getting caught, apparently.

But what excuse other than blind nationalism does the otherwise respectable administration of President Lee Myung-bak have for being a part of this?

Yonhap News has it like this, by the way. Not a hint of concern on their part.