Samsung’s de facto chief to be indicted, prosecutors warn
SEOUL, South Korea—South Korean special prosecutors said they would indict Samsung’s de facto chief Tuesday on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a political scandal that has toppled President Park Geun-hye.
The planned indictment of Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong is a huge hit for the largest and most successful of the big businesses that dominate the South Korean economy. It also signals the still roiling state of South Korea’s political and economic circles after weeks of massive demonstrations that led to Park’s impeachment.
The announcements of the planned indictments came after a three-month investigation by the special prosecution team, which ended Tuesday after the country’s acting leader refused a request for an extension.
Prosecutors say the Samsung heir gave bribes worth $36 million to Park and her confidante to help win government support for a smooth leadership transfer from Lee’s ailing father to Lee.
Lee also allegedly hid assets overseas, concealed proceeds from criminal activities and committed perjury. The 48-yearold billionaire was arrested Feb. 17. Samsung has denied wrongdoing.
Prosecutors also said they planned to indict four other Samsung executives on charges of offering bribes, embezzlement, hiding assets overseas and concealing proceeds from criminal activities.
The planned indictments mean that key figures at a powerful yet secretive Samsung office that wielded influence over dozens of Samsung affiliates face trial. Lee promised in December to disband the secretive office, called the Corporate Strategy Office, which allegedly orchestrated bribery schemes centered on Choi Soon-sil, Park’s confidante.
Shortly after the prosecutors’ announcement, Samsung announced a series of measures to improve its transparency, including disbanding the secretive office and resignations from top executives who prosecutors said they would indict. Lee wasn’t included in the resignations, implying he will keep his position and board membership at Samsung Electronics during court proceedings.
The office consists of close Lee family aides who worked to help ensure the father to son leadership transition. Some say that the contentious merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries in 2015 was also overseen by the office, not by the board of directors at the two Samsung companies. The merger, a crucial step for Lee to strengthen his grip on Samsung Electronics, was a key benefit that Samsung sought from the government by offering millions of dollars to Choi’s various entities, according to the prosecutors.