JY Trial Suddenly Postponed... Will Samsung's 'Judicial Risk' Extend Until the General Election?

Lee Jae-yong Retrial Panel
Requests Additional Opinions on Compliance Committee
Unusual Delay One Week Before Hearing
Some Interpret as Political and Judicial Pressure Amid General Election
Also Seen as Response to Criticism of Leniency

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] The preparatory hearing for the retrial of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, originally scheduled for the 14th, was suddenly postponed a week in advance. This was to allow the court to more thoroughly gather opinions from both Lee and the special prosecution on whether the recently launched Samsung Compliance Committee should be considered in Lee’s sentencing.

However, some in the legal and business communities interpret this as merely a superficial reason, closely linked to the political sphere’s “chaebol targeting and judiciary shaking” frame amid the full-scale general election phase. Since the court did not specify the next preparatory hearing date, Samsung’s “judicial risk” surrounding Lee may be prolonged due to the variable of the general election.

Lee’s legal team told Asia Economy on the 7th, “There will likely be no trial this month, and the next preparatory hearing will probably be scheduled next month,” signaling a long-term battle. It is somewhat unusual for the court to postpone a trial schedule for opinion gathering since the Choi Soon-sil political scandal.

In the legal community, there is a view that the court, which faced fierce criticism from politicians and civic groups for “leniency toward Lee Jae-yong” after the fourth retrial hearing on the 17th of last month, made this decision due to considerable pressure. Some lawmakers even issued statements criticizing the court’s trial procedures. Lee’s legal team said, “We are living in a difficult era where even lawmakers intervene in trials.”

Although the court delayed the fifth hearing to gather additional opinions, the special prosecution clearly opposes the Samsung Compliance Committee and expert review, and with the general election emerging as the biggest variable, Lee’s trial is expected to be effectively extended until after the election.

A special prosecution official stated, “The Samsung Compliance Committee is not subject to expert review, and we have no intention to cooperate with it,” adding, “Having an expert review panel hear this case itself is illegal both substantively and procedurally.” The special prosecution has already submitted a written objection to the court opposing the Compliance Committee and expert review.

In the business community, there are concerns that the political sphere during the general election is using “chaebols” as a tool for political conflict and even infringing on the judiciary’s inherent authority. While it has been common for politicians to criticize verdicts after rulings on specific issues, this case is seen as pressuring the judiciary during the trial process.

A business official lamented, “With Japan’s export restrictions ongoing, the Middle East crisis at the start of the year, and the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), all companies are maintaining an emergency management system, and the business environment for companies carrying unresolved judicial risks with no sign of resolution will worsen further.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.