Samsung Verdict

[Anchor Lead]

Samsung vice chief Lee Jae-yong appeared calm when he heard the court's verdict on August 25. But that is not exactly how he was feeling on the inside. Upon his return to jail, Lee confessed that he was very disappointed in the ruling.

[Pkg]

As the court was announcing its verdict on the 25th, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong appeared calm. As soon as he arrived at his detention center, Lee had a meeting with officers. Such meetings are held for detainees who have just received their prison sentences. At the meeting, Lee expressed frustration. He first said that he was disappointed with the court's decision. He said that although he did anticipate receiving a prison sentence, he had hoped for a lighter punishment. Lee added calmly that he was extremely disappointed with the verdict. Sources say that even after receiving his prison sentence, Lee has been having meals and exercising regularly, as he has done throughout his detention. Two other Samsung executives, Choi Gee-sung and Chang Choong-ki, who received four-year prison terms and were taken under court custody, were sent to the same detention center. Samsung's three top executives are now detained at the same center, but Choi and Chang could soon be relocated. An official from the special prosecutor's team said that the two must be relocated to another detention center because they are viewed as accomplices involved in four charges. Shortly after former President Park Geun-hye was arrested, Choi Soon-sil was relocated to another detention center for the same reason.