Samsung chief Lee summoned again

By Agencies in Seoul | China Daily | Updated: 2017-02-14 07:44

Spokesman says prosecutors may seek arrest of other executives

Samsung Group leader Lee Jae-yong appeared at the South Korean special prosecutor's office for questioning on Monday as part of a wider investigation into an influence-peddling scandal that could topple President Park Geun-hye.

The special prosecutor has focused on South Korea's biggest conglomerate, accusing Lee in his capacity as Samsung chief of pledging $37.3 million to a business and organizations backed by Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, in exchange for support for a 2015 merger of two Samsung companies.

The funding included sponsorship for the equestrian career of Choi's daughter, who is under arrest in Denmark after being sought by South Korean authorities.

Park, Lee, Choi, and Samsung Group have all denied bribery accusations.

Proving illicit dealings between Park or her confidantes and Samsung Group is critical for the special prosecutor's case that ultimately targets Park, analysts have said.

Park was impeached by Parliament in December and South Korea's Constitutional Court will decide whether to uphold that decision. She has been stripped of her powers in the meantime.

'Tell the truth'

Lee arrived at the prosecution office in Seoul early on Monday in a black sedan, dressed in a dark blue suit and tie and flanked by Samsung Group officials and his lawyer.

"I will once again tell the truth to the special prosecution," Samsung Group's third-generation leader told reporters before entering an elevator. He gave no details.

Outside the prosecutor's office, protesters held up signs calling for his arrest.

The special prosecution team said investigators were questioning two other Samsung executives as suspects. Both are officers of the Korea Equestrian Federation and have been questioned previously in the case.

One of those two, Samsung Electronics president Park Sang-jin, did not respond to reporters on his arrival at the prosecution team's office.

Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman for the special prosecution office, said the office would decide soon whether to make a second arrest warrant request for the Samsung Group chief. He did not comment on other details, including what Lee, 48 said during Monday's questioning.

Spokesman Lee said prosecutors would also consider whether to seek arrest warrants for four other Samsung executives identified as suspects. The prosecutor's office had previously said it would not seek arrests for any Samsung executives other than Lee Jae-yong.

In January, the special prosecution sought a warrant to arrest Lee after questioning him for 22 hours, accusing him of paying bribes to win the state pension fund's support for the controversial merger of Samsung C&T Corp and Cheil Industries Inc.

However, a Seoul court rejected that request.

Chang Choong-ki, deputy head of Samsung Group's corporate strategy office, known informally as its "control tower", was also questioned as a suspect on Sunday and returned home hours later.