S. Korea: Samsung chief summoned again by prosecutors

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) - Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong will again face South Korean investigators, a prosecution spokesperson revealed Sunday -- weeks after a Seoul court refused to sanction the executive’s arrest over his alleged link to a scandal that led to December’s impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

Lee has been summoned to appear at the Seoul office of the special probe team appointed to examine the wide-ranging case Monday morning.

“We plan to question the vice chairman on additional charges,” the investigation spokesperson told reporters according to Yonhap news agency.

“Since the request for an arrest warrant against Lee was rejected, we have carried out additional investigations over the last three weeks,” he said.

Lee is effectively in control of Samsung Group due to the condition of his ailing father Lee Kun-hee, the conglomerate’s chairman.

Suspicions surrounding the junior Lee arose after a merger of Samsung affiliates in 2015.

Among other allegations, the 48-year-old has been accused of paying tens of millions of dollars via an unofficial presidential aide to ensure state backing for the deal.