VIDEO Samsung's 'house of mourners'

Samsung Electronics’ office in Seocho-gu, Seoul / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Ko Dong-hwan

Samsung Electronics’ skyscraper office in Seocho-gu, Seoul was like a “house of mourners” on Friday morning after the Seoul Central District Court announced his arrest.

The grief settled in heavily after Lee became the first leader in Samsung’s 79-year history to be detained on criminal charges.

The arrest is viewed a victory for the special prosecutors team led by Park Young-soo.

The team secured enough evidence to persuade the court to acknowledge that Lee had an illicit deal with President Park Geun-hye.

He allegedly paid bribes to two foundations set up by President Park’s longtime friend Choi Soon-sil in return for political support.

In the afternoon, company officials were seen returning to the office from a prison in Uiwang where Lee is being held.