Samsung chairman appears for questioning in corruption probe
Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee appeared on Friday for questioning by special prosecutors probing alleged corruption at South Korea's largest business conglomerate.
By Agencies |
SEOUL: Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee appeared on Friday for questioning by special prosecutors probing alleged corruption at South Korea's largest business conglomerate.
The investigation is focused on allegations raised by a former Samsung lawyer that the group ran a slush fund to bribe influential figures, such as prosecutors and judges, as well as other claims.
The 66-year-old tycoon, an iconic figure in South Korean industry and one of the country's richest people, was answering a summons by an independent counsel established by South Korea's parliament and approved by its former president late last year.
``I didn't,'' Lee said upon arrival, responding to a reporter asking if he had ordered the creation of the alleged slush fund.
Prosecutors, who began work in January, questioned Lee's wife for more than six hours Wednesday. His son, brother-in-law and senior Samsung officials, including Vice Chairman Lee Hak-soo, have also endured hours of questioning.
The media have speculated intensely since the investigation began whether Lee himself would eventually be called in by the special counsel, which has about three weeks left to conclude the probe.
Kim Yong-chul, a former top lawyer for the conglomerate, claimed in November that Samsung had 200 billion won (US$205 million; euro131 million) in the slush fund and that Lee's wife used some of the money to purchase expensive works of art from abroad.
Samsung vociferously denied the allegations when they were raised.
Samsung consists of dozens of diverse corporations, ranging from shipbuilding to leisure. Samsung Electronics Company, a world leader in computer memory chips, flat screen televisions and mobile phones, is the group's flagship enterprise.
The investigation is focused on allegations raised by a former Samsung lawyer that the group ran a slush fund to bribe influential figures, such as prosecutors and judges, as well as other claims.
The 66-year-old tycoon, an iconic figure in South Korean industry and one of the country's richest people, was answering a summons by an independent counsel established by South Korea's parliament and approved by its former president late last year.
``I didn't,'' Lee said upon arrival, responding to a reporter asking if he had ordered the creation of the alleged slush fund.
Prosecutors, who began work in January, questioned Lee's wife for more than six hours Wednesday. His son, brother-in-law and senior Samsung officials, including Vice Chairman Lee Hak-soo, have also endured hours of questioning.
The media have speculated intensely since the investigation began whether Lee himself would eventually be called in by the special counsel, which has about three weeks left to conclude the probe.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kim Yong-chul, a former top lawyer for the conglomerate, claimed in November that Samsung had 200 billion won (US$205 million; euro131 million) in the slush fund and that Lee's wife used some of the money to purchase expensive works of art from abroad.
Samsung vociferously denied the allegations when they were raised.
Samsung consists of dozens of diverse corporations, ranging from shipbuilding to leisure. Samsung Electronics Company, a world leader in computer memory chips, flat screen televisions and mobile phones, is the group's flagship enterprise.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
