Sends a Letter to the Company's Board
The Solidarity for Economic Reform sent an official letter to the board of directors of Samsung Electronics on March 10 to request the dismissal of vice chairman Lee Jae-yong from his post as Lee was notified of employment restrictions under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, Etc. of Specific Economic Crimes.
"Vice chairman Lee is subject to employment restrictions even if he is not paid by Samsung Electronics because he is in a position to exercise influence or use power,” the civic group said in the letter. “Unless he resigns from his post voluntarily, the board of directors will have to force him to step down."
It also said, "As Lee’s sentence was finalized and the Ministry of Justice has notified him of employment restrictions, we urge Samsung Electronics to take necessary measures such as his dismissal.”
It noted that the company’s articles of association stipulate that the board or a committee that was given authority by the board can elect a limited number of chairmen, vice chairmen, presidents, vice presidents, executive directors and directors. It said, "As an organization that has the authority to appoint executives generally has the authority to fire them, it will be appropriate for the board to dismiss vice chairman Lee, who is an unregistered executive, through a vote. We urge the board to decisively make a decision on the matter."