Prosecutors seek jail time for Samsung scion on graft charges

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics vice-chairman Jay Y Lee fought back tears and denied wrongdoing yesterday as prosecutors sought a 12-year jail term on charges that include bribing the former president to help cement control of the South Korean technology giant.

Lee, the de facto leader of one of Asia’s largest conglomerates, has been in detention since February on trial for charges ranging from embezzlement to perjury, in a scandal that led to the ousting of former president Park Geun-hye.

He will face the longest prison term on record for a South Korean conglomerate executive if the court finds him guilty when it makes a ruling August 25, two days before Lee’s current period of detention ends.

Other charges he faces include wrongfully transferring assets overseas and hiding the proceeds of a crime. “I have never asked anyone, including the president, for anything for the company or my personal gain,” said Lee, his voice wavering. “I deeply regret that I have given such disappointment and apologise.”

Samsung Electronics offered no comment regarding the prosecutors’ demand.

The company’s shares ended down 0.3% yesterday, erasing minimal gains seen early in the session.

The prosecution has said Samsung’s intent in paying up for two funds backed by Park, and sponsoring the equestrian career of the daughter of a confidante at the centre of the scandal, was to get government support for efforts to cement Lee’s control of the smartphones-to-biopharmaceuticals empire.

“Although Lee is the ultimate receiver of the gains (from this bribery case), he has been pushing the blame on others accused,” said prosecutor Park Young-soo.