courthouse. Jay Lee exited, summoned for another round of questioning
before a judge on accusations of bribery, embezzlement, and perjury. The
final charge stemmed from what was claimed to be false testimony in the
National Assembly. Prosecutors had requested a warrant for his arrest. The
judge agreed to listen to the case and decide whether to grant the
prosecutors their warrant. The Samsung vice chairman passed through
throngs of journalists as he entered the court, a vacant look on his face.
“Do you still feel that you are the victim of the president’s coercion?”
one reporter shouted.
“The retirement savings of the South Korean people were used for your
management succession! Don’t you feel any moral responsibility?”
Lee was interrogated for twenty-two hours, remaining at the courthouse
all night. Once again he denied any wrongdoing.
Early on the morning of January 17, 2017, the judge rejected the
prosecutor’s arrest warrant, citing a lack of evidence. But prosecutors filed
a second arrest warrant almost a month later, worried that Samsung was
destroying evidence. If they were successful, Jay Lee could be held in a jail
cell while he awaited trial.
“You’ve been summoned for a warrant hearing for the second time.
Please tell us your feelings before going in,” asked a reporter as Lee
entered the courthouse on February 16, 2017.
“On the cross-shareholdings,” another shouted, “are there any illicit
favors you requested?”
After Jay was questioned for another fifteen hours, two black Hyundai
cars pulled up at the detention center where he would be held until a
decision was made. Jay exited one of the vehicles, his face emotionless,
greeted by throngs of protesters and reporters holding up Samsung phones,
ironically, to record the event and shouting for a comment.
After yet another seven hours of questioning, prosecutors and defense
lawyers presented their case to the judge. He reviewed the evidence alone
and announced his decision at 5:30 A.M. And this time he ruled against Lee.
“We acknowledge the cause and necessity of the arrest,” the judge
ruled.
Jay Lee was taken into custody on the same three charges: bribery,
embezzlement, and perjury. He was put in a jail cell for the duration of his
trial.