The Seoul Central District Court has approved a warrant to arrest Lee Jae-yong, Samsung's vice chairman and effective leader. He is being detained over claims of bribing South Korean government officials. Lee allegedly paid $36 million to two foundations belonging to an aide of (now impeached) president Park Geun-hye, in order to guarantee presidential support for a merger of two Samsung holding companies.
The first warrant for Lee's arrest was issued back in January, but ended up rejected. But the case continued and new evidence incriminating the Samsung head was collected, leading to a second warrant and an arrest.
The list of charges against Lee includes embezzlement, bribery, perjury, concealment of criminal proceeds, and illicit transfer of assets abroad. He is currently held behind bars, and it could be as many as 18 months before his trial commences. Interim, the special prosecutor's office has set their sights on Samsung Electronics president Park Sang-jin, whose arrest warrant has been rejected today.
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