Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee has been acquitted of charges related to accounting fraud and stock manipulation in a 2015 merger case by a Seoul court.
The ruling, unexpected by analysts anticipating a suspended sentence, may empower Lee to lead South Korea’s largest conglomerate more freely.
The court dismissed accusations that the merger was aimed solely at consolidating Lee’s control, emphasizing that the decision was made by the boards of both companies after careful consideration.
Lee’s legal troubles, dating back to 2016, seem to be resolved if prosecutors choose not to appeal.
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