Samsung Electronics Vice-Chairman Jailed two and a half years for Bribery

Lee Jae Yong, vice president of Samsung Electronics, was sent to jail on Monday after a two and half year term on his involvement in a 2016 corruption scandal that spurred huge street protests and ousted the then-president of South Korea. 

In a long-awaited retrial, the High Court found Lee guilty of bribing former President Parks Geun-hye and her near trust to gain government approval for a fusion in 2015 between two Samsung affiliates to reinforce his power over the biggest company in the world.

Lee’s lawyers had portrayed him as a victim of presidential power abuse and described the 2015 deal as part of “normal business activity.”

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After the ruling, Lee was taken into custody wearing a mask and a black suit and tie. When he arrived at the court, he did not answer reporters' questions. 

Lee Injae, an attorney leading the defense team of Lee Jae-yong, expressed regret over the decision of the court. He did not specifically say whether there would be an appeal. Samsung did not issue a statement on the decision.