An appeals court will hand down its verdict today-- on Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong,... who was found guilty by a lower court of offering kickbacks to jailed former President Park Geun-hye, and her close friend Choi Soon-sil.
The billionaire heir apparent of Korea's biggest conglomerate had been sentenced to five-years in prison in late August for giving around eight million U.S. dollars to the former president and Choi, in return for government backing of a merger of two Samsung business units,.. a process deemed vital for his leadership succession.
Lee was indicted in February of last year on five charges, including bribery, embezzlement, and concealment of illegal proceeds-- and has been in detention ever since.
Today's verdict will not only impact him,... but is also expected to affect the ruling on former President Park.