MIXED RESPONSES ON PUBLIC APOLOGY

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Lee Jae-yong's public apology came at the recommendation of the Samsung Compliance Commission. The independent oversight body called his apology "meaningful," which stands in contrast to outside critics who doubted its sincerity. Critics also point out that the commission shows the limit of an organization established by Samsung at the court's recommendation.

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​After Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong issued a televised apology, the tech giant's Compliance Commission held a closed door meeting to discuss followup measures. The session lasted over 3 hours. The commission issued a two-sentence statement. They said, Lee's apology was "deemed meaningful in that it showed his commitment to pursue the value of legal compliance." However, the statement included a condition that concrete action plans for establishing a sustainable management system and realistically ensuring three labor rights must be provided. Since the commission recommended Lee make a public apology, it appears the oversight body found the fact that he actually carried out the recommended action is meaningful. The commission's assessment stands in contrast to outside critics who claim the apology lacked sincerity and it was just a ploy to reduce his sentence. The commission was formed by Samsung itself at the order of a judge who will hand down the final sentencing on the de-facto chief's bribery case. The internal watchdog's origin naturally draws attention to its limitations. Solidarity for Economic Reform said Samsung did not keep the promise of returning Chairman Lee Kun-hee's hidden assets to society made during the special prosecutor's investigation in 2008. This is why the civic activist group remains skeptical of the corporate giant keeping its promise.

[Soundbite] PARK SANG-IN(PROFESSOR, SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY) : "There is no way to force Samsung to keep its promise. Lee made an empty promise."

The Samsung Compliance Commission passed the buck to Samsung to devise its own improvement plan instead of making the conglomerate comply with the commission's followup measures. It remains to be seen if Samsung could come up with measures that could satisfy both its critics and the court.