Samsung's actual head released from detention center

By Park Sae-jin Posted : January 19, 2017, 08:53 Updated : January 19, 2017, 08:53

Samsung's actual head Jay Y. Lee walks out of a detention center in southern Seoul. [Yonhap News Photo ]


The actual head of South Korea's top conglomerate, Samsung Group, walked out of a detention center Thursday after a court rejected his arrest on charges of bribery, embezzlement and perjury over his role in a corruption scandal.

Guards released Samsung Electronics vice chairman Jay Y. Lee from the detention center in southern Seoul where he had been held for almost 15 hours after attending a court hearing to review the legality of his arrest.

The release at 6:14 am (2114 GMT) ended a nervous standby by Samsung officials who had stayed overnight outside the detention facility or at their offices.

"At this stage, it's hard to recognize the reason for his arrest, necessity and appropriateness," the court said, referring to debate over whether Lee had made cash contributions in return for favors.

Special prosecutors expressed disappointment at the court's decision as it could affect their work to bring criminal charges against President Park Geun-hye who was suspended after being impeached in parliament.

However, they vowed to reinforce their legal ground through an investigate of other conglomerate chiefs, saying Lee would stand trial other anyway on charges of providing bribes at Park's request.

Special prosecutors have insisted Lee played a leading role in Samsung's cash donations, though his attorneys argued no strings have been attached, describing their client as the victim of coercion and blackmailing.

Samsung has called for leniency, citing the gravity of Lee's arrest. South Korean business leaders have seen their prison sentences shortened or suspended in consideration of the economic impact of their imprisonment.

According to CEO Score, a research body, Samsung was South Korea's biggest conglomerate affiliated with 59 subsidiaries. Their total assets were estimated at 350 trillion won (299 billion US dollars).
 

Samsung officials wait outside a detention center where their boss Jay Y. Lee has been held. [Yonhap Photo]



Top officials of the family-run conglomerates, or "chaebol", which dominate the national economy, have made regular court appearances on various charges over the years. Some have received heavy jail terms, only for them to be pardoned or released on early parole in light of their "past contributions" and importance to future economic prosperity.

The scandal fanned public sentiment against corporate donations, which have long been a controversial issue in South Korea due to concern about collusive ties between businessmen and politicians.

Lee is accused of providing and pledging a total of 43 billion won in bribes to Park's crony Choi Soon-sil, who is on trial for meddling in state affairs and pocketing corporate money.

Investigators have accused the 48-year-old only son of bedridden Samsung Group patriarch Lee Kun-hee of making a false testimony at a parliamentary hearing on December 6.

Samsung allegedly struck a 22 billion won contract with a Germany-based company owned by Choi to support the equestrian training of her 21-year-old daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, who has been held in Denmark for illegal stay.

Investigators said the contract came in return for the state-run pension fund's backing of a merger deal between Samsung subsidiaries in 2015. Lee is accused of providing bribes in an attempt to facilitate the succession of Samsung's leadership.
 
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기