A court in South Korea has rejected a request to arrest Samsung executive Lee Jae-yong.
Prosecutors in a government bribery case wanted Lee held on counts of bribery, embezzlement, and perjury. The Seoul Central District Court didn’t provide a reason for rejecting the prosecutor’s request.
The investigation pertains to a possible $36 million bribe Lee is alleged to have paid Korea President Park Geun-hye in order to facilitate the merger of several Samsung business units.
Lee is being groomed to take over the family-run company at some point down the road. His arrest would have put the succession plan in jeopardy.
