South Korean special prosecutors indicted Samsung's de facto chief Tuesday on bribery, embezzlement and other charges linked to a political scandal that has toppled President Park Geun-hye. Shortly after the announcement, Samsung said several top executives also facing criminal charges will resign from their positions and leave Samsung. It did not say anything about Lee's status, implying that the Samsung heir will likely keep his position and board membership at Samsung Electronics while he is under arrest and stands trial. The indictments mean that key figures at a powerful yet secretive Samsung office that wielded influence over dozens of Samsung affiliates face trial. Lee was once the face of the new Samsung, but now follows in the footsteps of his father, Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 28, 2017 06:02 UTC