• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The heiress of $10 billion Perdue Farms and the $12 billion Sheraton Hotels empire wore hand-me-downs, still rides the subway, and flies economy

2

31-year-old millionaire has zero sympathy for unemployed Gen Z's ‘excuses’—he says 'it is scarily easy' to build a business and get rich right now

3

We're living in the 'G-shaped economy'—where boomers control $90 trillion, and everyone else waits

1

The heiress of $10 billion Perdue Farms and the $12 billion Sheraton Hotels empire wore hand-me-downs, still rides the subway, and flies economy

2

31-year-old millionaire has zero sympathy for unemployed Gen Z's ‘excuses’—he says 'it is scarily easy' to build a business and get rich right now

3

We're living in the 'G-shaped economy'—where boomers control $90 trillion, and everyone else waits
TechFortune Global Forum

Samsung Group Chief Arrested in Impeachment Scandal Investigation

By
Reuters
Reuters
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Reuters
Reuters
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 16, 2017, 4:52 PM ET
Video Poster
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee was arrested on Friday, a South Korean court said, over his alleged role in a corruption scandal that led parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye.

The Seoul Central District Court also rejected a request to issue an arrest warrant for Samsung Electronics President Park Sang-jin, who also heads the Korea Equestrian Federation.

The 48-year-old Lee, Samsung’s vice chairman, was taken into custody at the Seoul Detention Center, where he had awaited the court’s decision following a day-long closed-door hearing that ended on Thursday evening.

The same court rejected a request from prosecutors last month to arrest Lee. On Tuesday, the special prosecutor’s office had again requested a warrant to arrest Lee on bribery and other charges again.

The prosecution said it had secured additional evidence and brought more charges against Lee, the group’s third-generation leader, in the latest warrant request. Lee’s father, Samsung group patriarch Lee Kun-hee, was incapacitated by a 2014 heart attack.

“We acknowledge the cause and necessity of the arrest,” a judge said in his ruling, citing additional allegations and evidence.

A spokeswoman for Samsung—the world’s biggest maker of smartphones—did not have immediate comment on the arrest. The group and Lee have denied wrongdoing in the case.

The office has focused its investigations on Samsung’s relationship with Park, who was impeached in December and has been stripped of her powers while the Constitutional Court decides whether to uphold her impeachment.

Prosecutors accused Samsung (SSNLF) of paying bribes totaling 43 billion won ($37.74 million) to organizations linked to Park’s friend, Choi Soon-sil, to secure the government’s backing for a merger of two Samsung units.

That funding includes Samsung’s sponsorship of the equestrian career of Choi’s daughter, who is in detention in Denmark, having been on a South Korean wanted list.

About the Author
By Reuters
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Tech


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.