TOKYO (Sputnik) — Lee has been detained since February for, among other charges, giving Choi $38 million in exchange for helping him secure control of the Samsung Group. The court's ruling is expected later in August and will affect the ongoing trials against the ex-president and her associate, the Yonhap news agency reported.
The scandal involving Park and Choi broke out in late October 2016. The prosecution suspects Park of being involved in 13 different cases of bribery, coercion and abuse of power. Park has been charged with forcing major corporations, including Samsung, to donate to foundations controlled by Choi, taking bribes, and forcing companies to sign contracts beneficial for Choi and her associates. The row resulted in Park’s impeachment in December 2016, a decision which was confirmed by the country's Constitutional Court on March 10.
