Joo Ho-young Points Out Possible Overreach by Samsung Trial Panel

"Demand for Establishment of Compliance Oversight Committee Exceeds Court Authority"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, pointed out the judiciary's overreach regarding the prison sentence handed down to Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Group.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After concluding the floor leaders' meeting on the 19th, Joo met with reporters and said, "It is not our place to criticize the judiciary's judgment, but since the plan was to create a Compliance Committee and reflect it in sentencing, I wonder if the court demanded something beyond its judicial authority."

Previously, in the October 2019 retrial, the court recommended that Vice Chairman Lee establish a Compliance Committee and suggested that this could be reflected in the sentencing. At that time, the court mentioned, "Refer to Chapter 8 of the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the compliance systems of major U.S. corporations."

In response, Samsung officially launched a Compliance Committee in February last year and, following the recommendation, declared a public apology, abandonment of fourth-generation management, and cessation of union-free management.

However, the court did not reflect the establishment of the Compliance Committee or related measures in Vice Chairman Lee's sentencing.