The Justice Ministry has opened a parole board meeting to consider granting early release for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who is serving jail time for bribery.

The deliberations committee began its closed-door session on Monday afternoon. Yun Kang-yeol, a senior judge at Seoul High Court and a member of the committee, told reporters earlier that the review will be in accordance with the law, constitution and standards developed over the years. 

The nine-member committee led by Vice Justice Minister Kang Sung-kook includes a number of ministry officials and five outside members including the judge, a lawyer and three professors.

Once they reach a decision, Justice Minister Park Beom-kye will grant final approval. 

The Samsung heir has been serving a two and a half year sentence for a bribery case involving former President Park Geun-hye who is also behind bars.