[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution investigating allegations surrounding the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries and the succession of Samsung's management rights summoned Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (52) again on the 29th.
The Economic Crime Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office called Vice Chairman Lee in the morning as a suspect to question him about various illegal allegations that arose regarding the 2015 Samsung C&T-Cheil Industries merger, including instructions and reports exchanged with the Group's Future Strategy Office.
Vice Chairman Lee appeared before the prosecution on the 26th, was investigated for 17 hours, and returned home, then appeared again before the prosecution three days later.
During the first investigation, Vice Chairman Lee reportedly stated that he "had no knowledge of or gave no instructions" regarding the allegations raised.
The prosecution appears to be intensifying its final investigation by summoning Vice Chairman Lee consecutively for questioning.
The prosecution began its investigation after receiving a complaint from the Securities and Futures Commission under the Financial Services Commission in November 2018 regarding Samsung BioLogics' accounting fraud allegations.
Since September last year, the investigation expanded to include suspicions related to the motive for accounting fraud, namely the succession of group management rights.
This year, the prosecution has summoned current and former senior executives of the former Future Strategy Office and integrated Samsung C&T multiple times to examine the decision-making process.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
