First Message from Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong in Prison: "Continuing Support for Compliance Oversight Committee Activities" (Comprehensive)

Statement Released Through Lawyer Four Days After Detention
Regular Compliance Oversight Committee Meeting Scheduled for the 21st as Planned

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong delivered his first message on "compliance management" four days after being detained. Although the Compliance Committee's effectiveness was not recognized in the retrial of the state affairs manipulation case, he expressed his determination to continue compliance management regardless of the trial outcome, urging the committee to fulfill its original role.

On the 21st, Samsung Electronics conveyed through Lee’s lawyer that he pledged to continue supporting the Compliance Committee's activities and earnestly requested the chairman and members to keep fulfilling their fundamental roles. This was the first message released four days after he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and detained in court on the 18th during the retrial of the state affairs manipulation case.

He urged the Compliance Committee to continue its activities without being discouraged by his trial results, while sending a strong message to employees not to be shaken amid concerns over the absence of the group’s head.

Lee had previously emphasized several times that the Compliance Committee would continue its activities regardless of the trial. In his public statement to the nation in May last year, he said, "Even after the trial ends, the Compliance Committee will continue to operate independently," and promised, "We will ensure that its activities proceed without interruption." In his final statement during the retrial in December last year, he declared, "We will make the company one that strictly adheres to compliance oversight," and pledged to support the Compliance Committee in fulfilling its original role.

Lee’s message was released in line with the Compliance Committee’s regular meeting held that morning at the Seocho headquarters in Seoul. It was the first regular meeting of the year and the first since the trial. Although the committee’s effectiveness was not recognized in court and Lee was ultimately detained, all scheduled activities will proceed as planned. The Compliance Committee also plans to hold a meeting with CEOs of seven affiliates on the 26th as scheduled.