Guilty verdict for Samsung boss could herald new era in effort to control chaebols
A guilty verdict for Samsung Group’s de facto leader is a victory for reformers. On Friday, Jay Y. Lee, the third- generation boss of South Korea’s biggest business, was sentenced to five years in jail for bribing the country’s previous president, embezzlement and other charges. Assuming the sentence is not overturned, this boosts President Moon Jae- in, who vowed to rein in powerful conglomerates. It should scare other bosses into behaving better. The ruling is a key moment in what prosecutors dubbed the “trial of the century.” For six months, they had cast the 49- year- old heir as the symbol of crony capitalism.
To be sure, this is not definitive. Lee will appeal, meaning a final decision will not come until next year. And skeptics will note that the country has seen a string of corporate scandals, often with limited repercussions. Lee’s own father was convicted twice on charges including tax evasion and bribery, and was eventually pardoned. Other corporate bosses have also had sentences commuted.
Nonetheless, the outcome reflects a toughening official stance toward the country’s powerful, family- run conglomerates, known as chaebols. Lee’s five- year sentence is less than half what prosecutors sought, but is still one of the longest handed to a chaebol boss – and too long for it to be suspended.
President Moon took office this year after campaigning on a platform of corporate reform. Notably, he hired two outspoken chaebol critics: Chang Ha- sung as chief of staff for policy, and Kim Sang- jo as antitrust head. The latter, nicknamed the “chaebol sniper,” told Reuters this month his agency planned to investigate several outfits that abused dealings with sister companies.
Up until now, proposals to strengthen regulations on businesses, such as banning the use of treasury shares in corporate restructuring, have been stalled in parliament, where Moon’s party has no majority. Lee’s conviction could bolster the president’s political standing, making it more likely he can build support for new legislation. Public anger has built against the chaebols, which have historically seemed both above the law, and run largely for the benefit of their founding families. Other corporate chieftains will be watching intently.