Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong Acquitted in 2015 Merger Case

The Seoul Central District Court found insufficient evidence to prove the merger was unlawfully conducted to strengthen Lee's control over Samsung.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong was acquitted of stock manipulation and accounting fraud charges related to a 2015 merger.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the prosecution failed to sufficiently prove the merger was unlawfully conducted to strengthen Lee's control over Samsung.
Lee's acquittal removes the threat of jail time and allows him to continue leading Samsung amid legal challenges.
Prosecutors had sought a five-year jail term for Lee, accusing him of manipulating the merger to cement his control over the tech giant.
The ruling could be appealed by prosecutors, but for now, it marks a significant legal victory for Lee and Samsung.