Teary Samsung VC denies wrongdoing in graft case

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee fought back tears and denied wrongdoing on Monday as prosecutors sought a 12-year jail term on charges that include bribing the former president to help cement control of the South Korean tech giant

Jay Y. Lee. Pic/AFP

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee fought back tears and denied wrongdoing on Monday as prosecutors sought a 12-year jail term on charges that include bribing the former president to help cement control of the South Korean tech giant.

Lee has been in detention since February on trial for charges ranging from embezzlement to perjury, in a scandal that gripped the country for months and led to the ouster of former president Park Geun-hye. He will face the longest prison term on record for a South Korean conglomerate executive if the court finds him guilty when it makes a ruling August 25.

“I have never asked anyone, including the president, for anything for the company or my personal gain,” said Lee in a final statement, his voice wavering. He stopped several times during his speech, holding back tears. “I deeply regret that I have given such disappointment and apologise,” he said. Samsung Electronics offered no comment regarding the prosecutors’ demand.

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No. of years in jail the prosecution has sought for Lee

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