Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong receives interviews before questioning in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2017. The heir apparent of Samsung Group, South Korea's largest conglomerate, appeared in the office of an independent counsel team investigating a scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye for his alleged involvement in bribery charges. (Xinhua/Lee Sang-ho)
Samsung made the biggest donations among scores of conglomerates to two Choi-controlled foundations, while signing tens of millions of U.S. dollars of contract with a German company, owned by Choi and her daughter, to provide financial assistance for the daughter's equestrian training.
In addition, Samsung offered millions of dollars to a winter sports center managed by Choi's niece.
Samsung has allegedly denied any quid pro quo in the financial assistance, claiming it was extorted by President Park and Choi. If any quid pro quo deals are proven between Lee and Park or between Lee and Choi, convicts can be sentenced to the maximum of life in jail.
President Park and Vice Chairman Lee met face-to-face around the time of the Samsung merger.
Lee denied bribery accusations at the December parliamentary hearing last year, but the independent counsel team asked the National Assembly's special committee to file a complaint against the vice chairman for a false testimony.
The independent counsel's investigation into the Samsung merger would be the key to filing a bribery charge against the impeached president. President Park is waiting for the constitutional court's ruling on the impeachment bill that was passed in the parliament on Dec. 9 last year.
