April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was summoned again on Feb. 13 to be questioned over his alleged involvement in an influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her longtime crony Choi Soon-sil.

The second summon comes after the Samsung heir was grilled on Jan. 12 over allegations that he ordered his aides to give a combined 43 billion won (US$37 million) to shady business run by Choi possibly in return for favors in the pending leadership transfer at the nation’s largest conglomerate. 

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (Ahn Hoon/The Investor)

Exerting unusual influence over government agencies and state-run organizations, Choi is accused of having helped Samsung complete a controversial merger of two subsidiaries -- Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries -- in 2015 that would raise Lee’s stake in Samsung Electronics, the group’s crown jewel, and further strengthen his control across Samsung affiliates.

The special prosecutors’ team requested a Seoul court to issue an arrest warrant for Lee after the first questioning session, but the court rejected it citing a lack of evidence.

The prosecutors are said to have gathered more evidence over the past month to prove the connection between Lee and Choi. Sources say the prosecution would seek an arrest warrant again this week against the Samsung heir on bribery allegations.

Appearing at the office of the special investigation team probing the presidential scandal on Feb. 13 morning, Lee said, “I will once again faithfully tell the truth during the investigation.”

The prosecutors from the investigation team have also called in Park Sang-jin, a Samsung executive president and Hwang Seong-soo, a Samsung executive vice president.

Park and Hwang of Samsung, who respectively serve as the chairman and vice chairman of the Korean Equestrian Federation, are suspected of having played a critical role in supporting Choi, as well as her daughter Jeong Yoo-ra, who used to be a dressage player.

The prosecution is expected to seek an arrest warrant for the Samsung vice chairman this week. 

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)