Samsung heir apologises over corruption scandal, union busting

The act of atonement by Lee Jae-yong, 51, came at the request of the Samsung group’s compliance committee

He said the company will guarantee workers’ rights, following almost 50 years of tactics to discourage labour union activities

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Lee Jae-yong, vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, has effectively been at the helm of the sprawling Samsung conglomerate since his father and group chairman, Lee Kun-hee, was left bedridden by a heart attack in 2014. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 5:50pm, 6 May 2020Updated: 10:53pm, 6 May 2020

The heir to the Samsung empire bowed in apology on Wednesday for company misconduct, including a controversial plan for him to ascend to the leadership at South Korea’s largest conglomerate.

Lee Jae-yong, vice-chairman of group affiliate Samsung Electronics, was jailed for five years in 2017 for bribery, embezzlement and other offences in connection with the scandal that brought down South Korean president Park Geun-hye.

The 51-year-old was released a year later on appeal but is currently undergoing a retrial.

“Our technology and products are being hailed as first class, but the public gaze towards Samsung still remains harsh,” Lee said. “This is my fault. I apologise.”

Lee bowed three times before flashing cameras at a Samsung Electronics office in Seoul, where reporters sat apart under coronavirus distancing rules.

He will not allow his children to succeed him at the firm, he said in steady tones, swallowing occasionally.

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