Arrest Warrant Rejected

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In a blow to a special prosecutors’ investigation into the government corruption scandal, a Seoul Central District court judge has rejected the request for an arrest warrant for Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. The decision was made in the early hours of Thursday morning, and could hamper efforts to investigate President Park Geun-hye and other conglomerates. Here’s more.

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Citing lack of grounds and necessity, the court has rejected the arrest of Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. The judge also cited the possibility of a legal battle over whether or not Samsung received political favors for providing funds to Choi Soon-sil. In other words, there may not be enough evidence to support the allegations against Lee Jae-yong. Special prosecutors had requested an arrest warrant for Lee on the charges of providing around 36 million U.S. dollars in bribes to Choi Soon-sil and embezzling corporate funds to pay for the bribes. Lee, who waited for the judge's decision at the Seoul Detention Center, returned home after his arrest warrant was dismissed. Lee will likely continue to undergo the investigation without a physical arrest. Earlier, the special counsel's team said it would continue the probe regardless of whether the arrest warrant for Lee is issued or not. However, the judge's decision will likely hamper the investigation into President Park Geun-hye and other conglomerates.