Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics, who returned home after visiting the semiconductor factory in Xi'an, China on the 19th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution investigating allegations related to the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries summoned Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong (52) again on the 29th for questioning. This comes three days after the first summons on the 26th.
The Economic Crime Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Bok-hyun) summoned Vice Chairman Lee this morning as a suspect in connection with the accounting fraud allegations involving Samsung BioLogics.
During the first investigation, which lasted about 17 hours, Vice Chairman Lee strongly denied the allegations, stating that he "never ordered or was informed" about the accounting fraud by Samsung BioLogics during the 2015 merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries.
Therefore, in today's investigation, the prosecution is expected to follow up on any incomplete parts of Lee's previous testimony through additional questioning, probing into the role played by the group's top executives at the time and whether such illegal activities could have occurred without Lee's approval.
In particular, the prosecution may focus on contradictions between Lee's statements and those of key aides such as former Samsung Future Strategy Office Chief Choi Ji-sung and Deputy General Manager Jang Choong-ki, who were previously questioned, or possibly conduct confrontational questioning to verify the truthfulness of conflicting testimonies.
Once the investigation of Vice Chairman Lee is concluded, the prosecution is expected to decide on the detention and prosecution of Lee and other key individuals, and promptly proceed with judicial procedures.
The prosecution's investigation into Samsung BioLogics, which has continued for one and a half years since the Financial Services Commission's Securities and Futures Commission filed a complaint in November 2018, is likely to be completed by mid-next month at the latest.
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