South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a not-guilty verdict for Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong, putting to rest a decade-long legal saga tied to the $8 billion merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries in 2015.
The decision, which endorses two lower court rulings, permanently removes a major distraction for Lee. Stocks of Samsung Electronics saw a modest uptick of 1.7% after the news, reflecting investor relief in an industry where global competition for semiconductors and artificial intelligence chips is intensifying.
"The Supreme Court ruling clears a layer of legal uncertainty, which could be a long-term positive for Samsung," says Ryu Young-ho, senior analyst at NH Investment & Securities. If Lee re-engages more proactively, management may refocus on strategic, long-term projects over quarterly results.
For nearly ten years, Lee has navigated charges of accounting fraud and stock manipulation related to a merger aimed at securing his succession after his father Lee Kun-hee fell into a coma in 2014. With the final verdict now in hand, Samsung can channel more energy into innovation, from next-generation memory chips to breakthroughs in mobile technology and AI.
Business groups hailed the ruling as a stabilizing force for the South Korean economy. The Korea Enterprises Federation highlighted the verdict’s timing, given rising U.S. trade tariffs and the fierce race to lead in high-tech sectors. "Samsung's role as a leading South Korean company is more critical than ever," the federation stated.
Looking ahead, industry watchers say Lee’s dual challenge will be to safeguard Samsung’s core businesses—semiconductors, smartphones and display panels—while identifying new growth engines in areas like electric vehicles, 5G networks and sustainable technologies.
As global digital markets evolve, Samsung’s ability to innovate quickly and manage leadership transitions smoothly could shape not just its own future, but also broader trends in technology, trade and investment across the G20 and beyond.
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South Korea's top court clears Samsung Chairman Lee in 2015 fraud case
cgtn.com
