South Korea’s special prosecutor’s office is taking another run at arresting and charging Samsung executive Jay Y. Lee.
Mr. Lee faces possible embezzlement, bribery, and asset-related charges tied to S. Korea President Park Geun-hye. Specifically, the prosecutor’s office believes Lee payed Park to facilitate a merger of two lesser Samsung businesses that, in turn, helped pave the way for Lee’s succession within the organization.
“Samsung has absolutely never bribed the president seeking something in return or sought illicit favors,” said Samsung Group in a statement.
Last month, a Seoul-based court rejected the prosecutor’s attempt to charge Lee. Lee is a member of the family that controls a majority stake in Samsung and has been groomed to lead the organization. A court will have to approve the persecutor’s new request.
