South Korea's Samsung heir arrives for final hearing in trial

Samsung vice-chairman Lee Jae-yong appeared at Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday for the final hearing of his bribery trial. Lee was sentenced to five years in prison in 2017 for offering 8.6 billion won (7 million US dollars) in bribes to former South Korean President Park Geun-hye and one of her longtime confidants while seeking government support for a 2015 merger.

The bribery scandal ignited massive street protests that toppled the presidency of Park, who was formally removed from office in March 2017 and is serving a decades-long term in prison. Lee was freed in early 2018 after an appellate court reduced his term and suspended the sentence.

Months later, however, prosecutors indicted him again on similar charges, setting up yet another protracted legal battle. Earlier this year, Lee expressed remorse for causing public concern over the scandal, but did not admit to wrongdoing regarding his alleged involvement.

(Image Credit: AP)