SEOUL: Samsung Group Chief Jay Y Lee was arrested early on Friday for his alleged role in a corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, a decision that is being reviewed by the country’s Constitutional Court.
The special prosecutor’s office accuses Lee of bribing a close friend of President Park Geun-hye to gain government favors related to leadership succession at the conglomerate.
“Lee will be indicted on charges including bribery, embezzlement, hiding assets overseas and perjury,” the office said.
Lee and his company, however, denied any wrongdoing.
“No decision had been made on whether Lee’s arrest would be contested or whether bail would be sought,” a spokeswoman for Samsung Group said.
“We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings,” the Samsung Group said in a brief statement after Lee’s arrest.
Samsung boss is being held in a single cell and will not be allowed contact with other inmates, said an official at the Seoul Detention Centre, a facility on the outskirts of the city where arrested politicians and corporate chieftains are usually held, along with other detainees.
“This is a highly public case, and as you know many involved in the case were already here,” the official said.
At the detention centre, Lee will be allowed visitors but they can speak only through a glass partition, for up to 30 minutes at a time. However, inmates are allowed unlimited meeting time with their lawyers.
