Lee Jae-yong Involved in National Power Abuse Scandal and Propofol... "Did Not Use After Release"

Repeated Drug Use 41 Times Over 6 Years
Prosecutors Demand 70 Million Won Fine

Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, who has been indicted on charges of illegal administration of the psychotropic drug propofol, is attending the first trial held on the 12th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] "Looking at the charges, it seems you have been administering propofol for a long time. Have you been living without any particular issues since your release?" (Judge)

"Yes, I can say that confidently." (Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics)

Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, who was indicted on charges of habitual illegal administration of the psychotropic drug propofol, showed no hesitation. At the first trial held at the Seoul Central District Court at 3 p.m. on the 12th regarding the violation of the Narcotics Control Act, he did not raise any objections to the prosecution's charges. In his final statement, he said, "I deeply reflect on this" and "I will look back on myself once again because of this incident and ensure that I do not cause such suspicions again."

On that day in court, the prosecution read out the charges against Vice Chairman Lee. The prosecution's reason for bringing Lee to trial was that he habitually administered propofol for non-medical purposes 41 times from January 2015 to May last year at a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam, Seoul. The prosecution requested, "Considering that there is no prior record of the same kind, please sentence him to a fine of 70 million won and a confiscation of 17.02 million won."

In the defense's final argument, Lee's lawyer said, "At that time, Samsung Group employees were going through great hardships due to the investigation and trial of the state affairs manipulation case," and "The defendant spent each day with a sense of self-blame, thinking that all these difficulties were due to his own shortcomings." This explained that Lee turned to propofol because of the state affairs manipulation case. The lawyer appealed, "Since serving time and being released due to the state affairs manipulation case, he has completely stayed away from drugs," and "Please give him a chance to make amends through social contribution."

Earlier, in June, the prosecution had summarily indicted Lee with a fine of 50 million won. However, the court referred the case to a formal trial, and the police, who were investigating another propofol administration charge against Lee, also handed the case over to the prosecution. Subsequently, the prosecution amended Lee's indictment, increasing the number of propofol administrations from the original 38 to 41 times, and the period from 4 years to 6 years. The court has scheduled the sentencing hearing for this case on the afternoon of the 26th.

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