South Korean special prosecutors have announced that they have charged Samsung chairman Lee Kun-Hee with breach of trust and tax evasion. However, Lee will remain free pending trial, with authorities saying they won’t be arresting him because it the disruptive impact that could have on the electronics giant.
Lee, age 66, was charged with nine other Samsung executives, including vice chairman Lee Hak-Soo. All have admitted to most of the key charges in the case; however, the indictment does not include charges of bribery, which was the most serious allegation from a former Samsung lawyer Kim Yong-Chul, whose accusations launched the investigation. Kim also alledged the Samsung execs had created a slush fund of almost $200 million for the express purpose of bribing government officials and politicians.
