Samsung Leader Cleared in Final Verdict Regarding 2015 Merger Case
Following Lee Jae-yong's acquittal by South Korea's Supreme Court in July 2025, Samsung Electronics is set for a strategic resurgence, with a focus on investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and global mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Key points of Lee Jae-yong’s plans include accelerated investment in AI chips and advanced foundry technology, revival of large-scale global M&A activity, renewed focus on operational efficiency and competitiveness, and the formation of future business units and new fields of growth.
Samsung plans to invest heavily in producing 2nm chips by late 2025, aiming to reduce reliance on competitors like TSMC and to strengthen its position in high-performance AI hardware. Collaborations with global tech leaders such as Google are part of this AI ambition, as Samsung seeks to challenge dominant players NVIDIA and TSMC.
Since the 2017 acquisition of Harman, Samsung has restrained from significant M&A due to Lee's legal issues. However, after his legal clearance, Samsung has resumed dealmaking with recent acquisitions like U.S.-based Masimo’s audio division and Germany’s FläktGroup, signaling a return to strategic expansions, especially to fill gaps in AI software and foundry equipment capacity.
With legal uncertainties lifted, Lee aims to restructure Samsung's chip competitiveness, especially in memory products like high-bandwidth memory (HBM), where Samsung has yet to secure major contracts with key clients such as Nvidia. The company's operating profit had recently seen some pressure, underlining the urgency to enhance competitiveness and find new growth engines.
Samsung Electronics has established a future business planning team, scouting innovative sectors like MedTech, robotics, battlefield technologies, and eco-friendly air conditioning solutions as potential next-generation businesses for Samsung’s long-term growth under Lee's leadership.
Business groups welcomed the court's decision, expressing hope for Samsung's and the national economy's growth. Kang Seok-koo, head of the research division at Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expects the decision to remove management risk for the company and generate positive ripple effects across the Korean economy.
The merger between Samsung affiliates, which was intended, according to prosecutors, to help Lee cement his grip on Samsung Group at a lower cost, has ended years of legal battles. The ruling dismisses the prosecution's appeal and upholds a not-guilty verdict for Lee and 13 other former Samsung officials.
Lee Sang-ho, head of the economic policy division at the Federation of Korean Industries, believes the verdict will allow Samsung to focus on technological innovation and securing global competitiveness. The district court acquitted Lee Jae-yong of all 19 original counts in February 2024.
Since his acquittal earlier this year, Samsung and its affiliates have unveiled three sizable deals, signaling a renewed commitment to strategic growth and expansion.
Technology will be a key focus for Samsung Electronics in their strategic resurgence, as they aim to invest heavily in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced foundry technology. This includes accelerated investment in AI chips and efforts to reduce reliance on competitors like TSMC by producing 2nm chips by late 2025. Moreover, Samsung will seek partnerships with global tech leaders, such as Google, and resume mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to fill gaps in AI software and foundry equipment capacity.
