Samsung chief pleads innocence as trial begins

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) - One of South Korea's so-called trials of the century got underway Thursday, with Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong rejecting allegations of bribery and embezzlement.

Although members of the public waited in line to attend the first hearing at Seoul Central District Court, Lee himself was not present.

Defense lawyers spoke on his behalf during the proceedings, which lasted an hour.

Lee was indicted in February along with 29 other suspects in connection with a massive presidential scandal -- impeached President Park Geun-hye is for now protected by her position but Seoul's Constitutional Court will decide whether to oust her this Friday.

The months-long scandal caught up with Samsung because Lee is accused of paying tens of millions of dollars in bribes to ensure government support for a 2015 merger seen as smoothing the transition of power to him from his ailing father, Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

The younger Lee claims Samsung donated money to nonprofit foundations under government pressure but without any strings attached.

He is known to have met with Park personally in 2015 and 2016.

Following his arrest last month, Lee is the first Samsung chief to be placed behind bars.

He will remain in custody until a verdict around late May.