Oct 14, 2021
Samsung CEO Lee admits to illegal sedative usage
Singapore Samsung CEO Jay Y. Lee pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday to a charge of illegal use of a controlled drug, as legal problems continue to plague the executive despite his August parole release after a bribery conviction.
Market observers anticipated a rush of significant choices at Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and its affiliates after Lee’s announcement, including the site of a US$17 billion (RM71 billion) semiconductor plant planned in the United States.
However, Lee’s legal problems continued Tuesday before the Seoul Central District Court, where he testified in a brief first hearing that he took propofol — a sedative used in anesthesia — 41 times between 2015 and 2020.
In their statement, prosecutors said that the usage was done under the pretext of skin therapy or was not connected to a legitimate medical procedure.
According to Lee, this issue was first brought up for therapy, but he sincerely regrets his actions.
Lee then promised the court where 15 people stood as witness that he will make certain that this does not happen again.
An extra charge of 17 million won is being sought by prosecutors in addition to a fine of 70 million won (RM244,000). The decision will be made on October 26th.
