Lee Jae-yong Absent from Trial on 20th... "Accompanying Biden's Visit to Pyeongtaek Plant"

Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] On the 20th, when U.S. President Joe Biden visits Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong will accompany him.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judges Park Jeong-je, Park Sa-rang, Park Jeong-gil) announced on the 19th that the trial scheduled for the next day, in which Vice Chairman Lee, indicted on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act, was absent, would proceed.

At the trial for Vice Chairman Lee and others that day, the court stated, "The defendant (Vice Chairman Lee) submitted a written opinion indicating that he is unable to attend tomorrow due to an urgent situation," and asked for the prosecution's opinion.

In response, the prosecution said, "No objection." Accordingly, the court accepted the defense counsel's request and decided to proceed without Vice Chairman Lee's attendance. The witness examination during the trial is expected to be replaced by using the recorded statements as evidence.

The court holds Vice Chairman Lee's trials every Thursday. Additionally, trials are held every three weeks on Fridays. A trial is also scheduled on the 20th, the day President Biden visits.

In response, Vice Chairman Lee's defense counsel submitted a written opinion on the day requesting the trial to proceed in his absence.