Prosecutors Conclude Investigation of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Others... Final Announcement Imminent

Legal Community Expects Vice Chairman Lee's 'Suspended Prosecution' Decision
Choi Ji-sung and Kim Jong-jung Likely to Be Prosecuted

Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution is set to conclude whether to take judicial action against Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and others, with an announcement expected soon.

According to the legal community on the 24th, the Economic Crime Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Bok-hyun), which has been investigating this case, recently completed its investigation into allegations of violations of the Capital Markets Act (fraudulent trading and market manipulation) and the External Audit Act against Vice Chairman Lee, former head of Samsung Future Strategy Office Choi Ji-sung, former strategy team leader Kim Jong-jung, and Samsung Biologics President Kim Tae-han, and has reached a final conclusion on whether to take judicial action against each individual.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office is reported to have submitted these results to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, received approval, and is now only awaiting the final announcement.

Inside and outside the prosecution, there is analysis that the prosecution's failure to reach a conclusion for nearly 60 days after the Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee recommended 'suspension of investigation and non-prosecution'?despite having previously sought an arrest warrant for Vice Chairman Lee?indicates a failure to secure definitive evidence proving Lee's involvement.

Therefore, it is anticipated that Vice Chairman Lee may receive a 'suspension of prosecution,' meaning 'not innocent but not prosecuted.'

Instead, it is expected that former head Choi, former team leader Kim, and Samsung C&T Corporation will be prosecuted, thereby preserving the prosecution's justification for the investigation while partially accepting the deliberation committee's opinion as a compromise.

If the prosecution insists on indicting Vice Chairman Lee, it is expected to face criticism for ignoring the opinion of the internally established Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee. Conversely, if non-prosecution is decided, it would imply an acknowledgment of an excessive investigation, so many expect this kind of compromise to be chosen.

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