Now this is a passionate user base.
Protesters turned out to riot and burn photos at a press conference in Seoul Wednesday held by former Samsung top lawyer, Kim Yong-Chul, and the Associated Press got a great photo of the civil disobediance in action.
We're not allowed to run AP photos (we don't pay for the service, but if anyone has their own photos, please send them my way at Erica dot Ogg at cnet.com), but Engadget has the image, so be sure to check it out.
The company's former lawyer held the press conference to call for punishment of Samsung's former chairman, Lee Kun-Hee, who stepped down Tuesday after being indicted on tax evasion charges.
The rioters are apparently angry with Kim, whose admission to prosecutors about the existence of a $215 million company slush fund used to bribe public officials touched off a high-profile investigation into South Korea's largest company, which has long been a symbol of national pride.
Lee was cleared on charges related to the slush fund, but was also indicted on breach of trust for helping to arrange the sale of company stock to his son and unfairly low prices.
Nine other Samsung executives were indicted on charges similar to Lee's.
Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee was indicted on charges of evading taxes on billions of dollars he hid in stock accounts under the names of his aides, The New York Times is reporting.
He also faces criminal charges of breach of trust, stemming from his involvement in arranging for company subsidiaries "to sell stock to his son" at "unfairly low prices" to help his son "take over management control," The Times says. Lee was cleared, however, of more serious allegations he starting a slush fund worth $215 million used to bribe prosecutors, judges, and other public officials.
Nine other Samsung executives were indicted on charges similar to Lee's, but none were arrested. Lee wasn't arrested either.
Still, the charges aren't good for the image of South Korea's largest company. Samsung operates in many industries, but is primarily known for its electronics. The company is one of the largest television manufacturers in the world, and is also a leading handset maker.
Lee thus far has maintained his title, however Samsung is planning a related restructuring, the details of which will be disclosed next week, according to The Wall Street Journal.
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