UIWANG: Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee, convicted of bribery and embezzlement, walked out of prison on parole on Friday, with South Korea's president calling on the public for understanding over his controversial release.
Broad support for his parole grew amid anxiety that major strategic decisions are not being made at the world's biggest memory chip and smartphone manufacturer without him. President Moon Jae-in's office said the decision to release Lee was in the national interest.
But civic groups have slammed his parole as another sign of leniency for the country's business elite and one that undermines its justice system.
Lee, 53, appeared outside the Seoul Detention Center, wearing a dark grey suit and looking much thinner than when he was last detained in January. Convicted of bribing a friend of former President Park Geun-hye, he served 18 months of a revised 30-month sentence.
"I've caused much concern for the people. I deeply apologise," Lee told reporters. "I am listening to the concerns, criticisms, worries and high expectations for me. I will work hard."
He went straight to Samsung headquarters after his release.
South Koreans have long had an uneasy relationship with the founding families of the country's chaebols, veering between anger over their many privileges and scandals, and recognition that the conglomerates are also responsible for much of the country's economic success.
"We are well aware that there are supporting and opposing views on Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee's parole. The views of the people who are opposed are also right," Moon's office said in a statement.
"On the other hand, there have been many people who called for his parole in this severe crisis, hoping that he will help the country with respect to semiconductors and vaccines."
BIG DECISIONS AWAIT
Business leaders and some lawmakers have argued Lee has sufficient influence overseas to help South Korea obtain more COVID-19 vaccines.
Concerns have also increased that Samsung needs a steady hand at the helm to help it remain competitive in the chip sector amid a global shortage and at a time when rivals like TSMC and Intel Corp are making large investments.
One of the decisions Lee is expected to make is the final call on the location of a $17 billion U.S. plant that will produce advanced logic chips.
While Samsung has three CEOs in charge of its main divisions and its day-to-day operations have not been affected by Lee's absence, company sources say major investment and M&A decisions should only be made by Lee.
Before he resumes work, however, Lee must gain separate justice ministry approval, though the decision is expected to be a formality.
In a symbolic move that appeared timed to coincide with his release, Samsung on Thursday made good on a promise by Lee with an announcement that it had signed its first agreements with four company labour unions which cover the provisions of offices and assurances that union activities will be allowed.
Lee initially served one year of a five-year sentence from August 2017 which was later suspended. That court decision was then overturned and while the sentence was shortened, he was sent back to jail in January this year.
His parole comes after the Justice Ministry last month eased eligibility guidelines for first-time offenders with good behaviour like Lee to about 60% of sentence term served. The average eligible time for all criminals in South Korea was 80% prior to the easing.
Lee still has other legal woes to grapple with. He is also on trial accused of accounting fraud and stock price manipulation connected to a 2015 merger of two Samsung companies. The first hearing of a separate case, in which he has been accused of unlawfully using a sedative, is expected on Sep. 7.
Lee has denied the accusations in both cases.
Reuters
Fri Aug 13 2021
Samsung Electronics vice chairman Jay Y. Lee speaks as he is released on parole from Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, South Korea, August 13, 2021. Yonhap via REUTERS
Kertas kabinet wujud sektor sukan dibentang dalam tempoh sebulan - Hannah
Hannah berkata dengan data yang lebih menyeluruh melibatkan sektor industri sukan nanti, pihaknya akan mampu merangsang pertumbuhan sukan di negara ini dengan lebih baik.
Tiga Syarikat Semikonduktor umum melabur di Pulau Pinang - Kon Yeow
Tiga syarikat semikonduktor dari China menyatakan komitmen untuk membuat pelaburan baharu di Pulau Pinang.
Pindaan garis panduan lawatan: Sekolah diharap susun semula program - Fadhlina
Semua sekolah diharap dapat menyusun semula program lawatan masing-masing berikutan pindaan Garis Panduan Lawatan Murid Sekolah pada tahun lepas bagi mengukuhkan pembelajaran di luar kelas, kata Menteri Pendidikan, Fadhlina Sidek.
Kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak dijaga sehingga tamat sekolah - KPM
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia akan memastikan kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak 10 pegawai dan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia yang terkorban dalam nahas helikopter di Lumut, Perak, terus dijaga sehingga mereka tamat persekolahan.
Chegubard ditahan polis berkaitan hantaran mengenai kasino di Forest City
Chegubard ditahan di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Dang Wangi di sini berkaitan hantaran mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City pada Sabtu.
Zahid minta pihak dalam BN buka "buku baharu"
Ahmad Zahid menegaskan senario politik tanah air sudah berubah dan terdapat banyak video lama dari parti lawan yang meminta pengundi menyokong DAP.
Malaysia kongsi pengalaman dalam usaha berterusan mempertahan Palestin
Delegasi negara akan berkongsikan peranan Malaysia dalam usaha berterusan mempertahankan nasib Palestin dalam Persidangan Liga Parlimen Al-Quds kelima yang berlangsung di Istanbul, Turki pada Sabtu.
Universiti Malaya mohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia
Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik, Universiti Malaya memohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia berhubung kenytaaan tidak bertanggungjawab Profesor Dr Bruce Gilley pada 24 April lalu.
Genting Malaysia nafi terbabit perbincangan
Selepas Berjaya Corporation Bhd dan Kerajaan Negeri Johor, kini Genting Malaysia Bhd pula menafikan sebarang penglibatan dalam perbincangan mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City, Johor.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Sabtu, 27 April 2024.
TSMC akan hasilkan cip 1.6nm menjelang 2026
Menurut TSMC, teknologi 1.6mm akan memberikan peningkatan prestasi sehingga 8-10% untuk voltan yang sama serta pengurangan penggunaan kuasa antara 15-20% pada kelajuan yang sama.
Samsung naik taraf Bixby dengan AI Generatif
Bixby akan kekal wujud di samping Galaxy AI dan Samsung akan terus mengemas kini pembantu maya mereka ini untuk lebih mesra pengguna.
Samsung lancar televisyen AI 27 Mac ini
Pada 27 Mac 2024, 9PM Samsung Malaysia akan mengadakan acara Unbox & Discover 2024.
Intel tawar perkhidmatan pengeluaran cip kepada AMD, NVIDIA, Qualcomm
Apabila Intel Foundry Services beroperasi secara sepenuhnya, Intel akan mempunyai kemampuan untuk membangunkan cip intel tersuai yang hadir dengan teknologi terbina.
Sistem kesan apnea tidur Samsung Galaxy Watch terima kelulusan FDA
Sistem pengesanan apnea tidur Samsung memerlukan waktu tidur pemakai dijejak selama empat jam sehari selama dua hari.
7 daripada 10 telefon paling laris 2023 ialah iPhone, 3 lagi keluaran Samsung
iPhone 14 Pro Max mencatatkan jualan tertinggi dengan 34 juta unit.
Pengeluaran tablet susut 10.3% sepanjang 2023, iPad memegang 40% pasaran
Sepanjang 2023, pengeluaran tablet susut 10.3% berbanding 2022.
Pengerusi Eksekutif Samsung didapati tidak bersalah kes penyelewengan
Risiko dipenjarakan semula kerana kesalahan memberikan rasuah kepada Presiden Park Geun-hye tidak akan berlaku.
Siri Galaxy S24, telefon AI pertama daripada Samsung kini tiba
Dikuasakan Galaxy AI yang akan mengubah cara peranti mudah alih memperkasakan pengguna buat selamanya.
Keunggulan kuasa AI di tapak tangan anda dengan Galaxy AI
Satu pengalaman AI bimbit menyeluruh, dipacu bersama oleh AI dalam peranti dibangunkan Samsung serta AI berasaskan awan.