Samsung’s de facto head Lee Jae-Yong has gone on trial in South Korea on charges of bribery.<\/p>\n
The case is linked to a massive scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.<\/p>\n
Samsung is accused of giving donations to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a friend of Ms Park, in exchange for government favours.<\/p>\n
Mr Lee, the Samsung group and four other Samsung executives who are also on trial all deny wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
Mr Lee did not appear in person on the opening day of the trial in the capital, Seoul,<\/p>\n
The trial is expected to go on for several months.<\/p>\n
Mr Lee, also known as Jay Y Lee, is currently vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics. But since his father, Lee Kun-hee, suffered a heart attack in 2014, he is considered de facto boss of the entire Samsung Group conglomerate.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors have accused Mr Lee of giving donations worth 41bn won ($36m;\u00a329m) to organisations linked to Ms Park’s close friend Ms Choi. They alleged this was done to win government support for a big restructuring of Samsung that would help a smooth leadership transition in favour of Mr Lee, who is standing in as chairman for his ill father.<\/p>\n
The controversial merger required support from the national pension fund – the allegation is that this support was granted in return for the donations.<\/p>\n
In a December parliamentary hearing, Samsung admitted giving a total of 20.4bn won to two foundations, but denied seeking favours in return.<\/p>\n
Mr Lee also confirmed the firm gave a horse and money to help the equestrian career of Ms Choi’s daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, something he said he now regrets.<\/p>\n
Ms Park’s position began to unravel in October last year when details of her friendship with Ms Choi emerged.<\/p>\n
They included revelations that the president had allowed her old friend – who holds no government role – to edit political speeches.<\/p>\n
Politicians voted in December last year to impeach her over the scandal. South Korea’s constitutional court is expected to rule shortly on whether that decision will be upheld.<\/p>\n
Until then, Ms Park remains formally president but stripped of her powers.<\/p>\n
Ms Choi is on trial for charges including corruption and coercion.<\/p>\n
Ms Park denies wrongdoing but has apologised for the way she managed her relationship with Ms Choi, who also denies committing criminal offences.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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