Business Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong acquitted of unfair merger charges
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong was cleared of all charges related to the alleged “illegal succession,” including the unfair merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries and accounting fraud, on July 17, 2025. According to the business and legal communities, the prosecution charged Lee and others, stating, “As vice chairman of the Samsung Group at the time, Lee illegally interfered in the merger process between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries in 2015 to secure management succession and strengthen the group's control.” As a result, Lee