South Korea Supreme Court Acquits Samsung Chairman Lee in 2015 Merger Case

South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld the acquittal of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong in a decade-long legal battle stemming from a 2015 merger between Samsung affiliates Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T Corp. The court dismissed allegations of stock manipulation, accounting fraud, and other irregularities that prosecutors argued were designed to unfairly consolidate Lee's control over the conglomerate at a lower cost. This final ruling removes significant legal uncertainty for Lee, who has faced questions about his leadership amid Samsung's global competition in semiconductors and AI technology. Analysts suggest that the clearance could allow Lee to take a more active role in the company, enabling management to focus on long-term projects rather than short-term results. Samsung and business groups welcomed the decision, viewing it as a stabilizing factor for the South Korean economy during a time of intensifying international trade tensions and technological rivalry. The Supreme Court's judgment confirms the legality of the merger and ends all pending appeals against Lee and other implicated executives.