Court denies Samsung chief's arrest for 'lack of evidence'

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong encounters reporters on his way out of the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, Wednesday, after attending a hearing over an arrest warrant requested for him on criminal charges, including giving bribes to President Park Geun-hye's close friend in return for government favors. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Park Si-soo

A court denied Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's arrest for "lack of evidence" on Thursday morning, a setback to the independent counsel investigating an extensive corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and the nation's richest people.

Judge Cho Eui-yeon of the Seoul Central District Court, in charge of the case, said Lee’s arrest was "not necessary at this stage (of the investigation)" given evidence and testimony tendered to the court.

The judge made the decision public at 4:53 a.m., nearly 14 hours after he questioned the de facto leader of Samsung Group, who has been accused of bribery, embezzlement and perjury.

Samsung said: "The merits of this case can now be determined without the need for detention."

The independent counsel has accused Lee of paying bribes totaling 43 billion won ($36.7 million) to organizations linked to Choi Soon-sil -- a friend of President Park who is at the center of the scandal -- to secure the 2015 merger of two affiliates and cement his control of the family business. The tycoon, 48, is also accused of lying under oath during a parliamentary hearing last month.

It is uncertain whether the independent counsel will again seek an arrest warrant for Lee.

The independent counsel has said it did not seek arrest warrants for three other Samsung Group executives involved in the scandal to minimize the impact on the company’s business.