While in jail, Lee may not be able to make important decisions for Samsung at an important time when the demand for memory chips and other products is high. Korea and Samsung in particular have gained more notoriety recently due to the rocky relations between the US and China.
In the trial’s final trial, Lee apologized at length and promised to make a ‘new Samsung’, and ‘correct what the court noted as the damage to chaebol. [family-owned conglomerate], “he said. He also promised not to transfer power to his children.
The verdict was based in part on the court’s assessment of an independent compliance committee set up by Samsung to monitor misconduct by drivers. Lee’s legal problems are not over yet, as he is also on trial for alleged fraud and share manipulation. He is expected to become chairman of Samsung as soon as he is released after the death of his father Lee Kun-hee late last year.