What's happened
Samsung's Lee Jae-yong acquitted of stock manipulation and accounting fraud charges
Why it matters
The acquittal of Samsung's top executive is significant for the future of the company and its leadership, as well as for South Korea's business and legal landscape.
What the papers say
The New York Times emphasizes the lack of evidence to prove the prosecutors' charges, while The Independent highlights the potential easing of legal troubles for Lee Jae-yong. The Economist and Engadget focus on the impact of the ruling on Samsung's business and industry, with Engadget also noting contrasting opinions within South Korea.
How we got here
Lee Jae-yong's legal troubles stem from a 2015 merger between two Samsung affiliates, which prosecutors claimed was unlawfully conducted to strengthen his control over Samsung Electronics.
More on these topics
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Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a South Korean multinational electronics company headquartered in the Yeongtong District of Suwon. It is the pinnacle of the Samsung chaebol, accounting for 70% of the group's revenue in 2012. Samsung Electronics has playe
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Lee Jae-yong, known professionally in the West as Jay Y. Lee, is a South Korean business magnate and the vice chairman of Samsung, serving as de facto head.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.