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samsung corruption scandal

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Samsung’s heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong has been sentenced to five years in prison for corruption.

He was accused of bribery in a scandal that also saw the impeachment of South Korea’s former president, Park Geun-hye.

The case has gripped the public amid growing anger against South Korea’s biggest companies, known as chaebols.

Lee Jae-yong, who denied all charges, had faced a jail sentence of up to 12 years.

The 49-year-old, also known as Jay Y. Lee, the de facto head of Samsung, the world’s largest smartphone maker, had been detained since February on a string of corruption charges.

These included including bribery, embezzlement and hiding assets overseas.

Image source Reuters

Lee Jae-yong Goes on Trial for Bribery

Lee Jae-yong Goes on Trial over Embezzlement and Perjury Charges

Samsung VP Lee Jae-yong Arrested on Bribery Charges

Lee Jae-yong was accused of giving donations worth 41 billion won ($36 million) to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a friend of South Korea’s former President Park Geun-hye, in return for political favors.

Prosecutors said the donations were made to Park Geun-hye’s confidante to win government support for a big restructuring of Samsung that would strengthen Lee Jae-yong’s control over Samsung Electronics.

A lawyer for Lee Jae-yonghas said already said they will appeal against the decision.

“We are confident the ruling will be overturned,” lawyer Song Wu-cheol told reporters after the ruling, according to Reuters.

Nevertheless this ruling represents a huge blow to South Korea’s biggest and most well-known business empire. Since the verdict, Samsung shares fell by 1%.

Lee Jae-yong’s conviction raises questions about his leadership of the conglomerate. He has been standing in as chairman since his father, Lee Kun-hee, suffered a heart attack in 2014.

The Samsung scandal contributed to President Park Geun-hye’s eventual impeachment. Park Geun-hye’s friend, Choi Soon-sil, has already been jailed for three years for corruption.

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Lee Jae-yong’s trial on a string of corruption charges including bribery and embezzlement has begun in South Korea.

The Samsung vice-president and heir apparent was not present at the preliminary hearing, but his lawyer denied all charges on his behalf.

The case is linked to a massive scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

Four other Samsung executives who are also facing trial have also denied wrongdoing.

The trial is expected to go on for several months.

Image source Reuters

Lee Jae-yong, professionally known as Jay Y. Lee, is currently vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics. But since his father, Lee Kun-hee, suffered a heart attack in 2014, he is considered de facto boss of the entire Samsung Group conglomerate.

He is accused of giving donations worth 41 billion won ($36 million) non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a friend of Park Geun-hye.

Prosecutors have alleged this was done to win government support for a big restructuring of Samsung that would help a smooth leadership transition in favor of Lee Jae-yong.

In a December parliamentary hearing, Samsung admitted giving a total of 20.4 billion won to two foundations, but denied seeking favors in return.

Lee Jae-yongalso confirmed the company gave a horse and money to help the equestrian career of Choi Soon-sil’s daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, something he said he now regrets.

President Park Geun-hye’s position began to unravel in October 2016 when details of her friendship with Choi Soon-sil emerged.

They included revelations that the president had allowed her old friend – who holds no government role – to edit political speeches.

Politicians voted in December 2016 to impeach her over the scandal. South Korea’s constitutional court is expected to rule shortly on whether that decision will be upheld.

Until then, Park Geun-hye remains formally president but stripped of her powers.

Choi Soon-sil is on trial for charges including corruption and coercion.

Park Geun-hye denies wrongdoing but has apologized for the way she managed her relationship with Choi Soon-sil, who also denies committing criminal offences.

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