Indicted Samsung Chairman to Resign

SEOUL, April 22 -- Lee Kun-hee, the embattled chairman of Samsung Group, said Tuesday that he will step down following his indictment on tax-evasion charges.

"I today have decided to resign from the post of chairman of Samsung Group," Lee told a news conference less than one week after he was indicted following an independent counsel investigation of the operations of South Korea's biggest conglomerate.

"We, including myself, have caused troubles to the nation with the special probe," Lee said. "I deeply apologize for that, and I'll take full responsibility for everything, both legally and morally."

Vice Chairman Lee Hak-soo, considered the chairman's closest confidante, also will resign, as will Lee Jae-yong, the chairman's son and heir who is an executive at the Samsung Electronics unit.

There was no word on who will replace the chairman.

Special prosecutors on Thursday indicted Lee on charges of evading $113 million in taxes, ending a three-month probe into the family run conglomerate prompted by allegations of wrongdoing by a former Samsung lawyer.

Prosecutors, however, dismissed the most explosive claim -- that Samsung used affiliates to raise a slush fund to bribe influential South Koreans -- for lack of evidence.

Samsung Group, founded 70 years ago by Lee's father, has interests in dozens of businesses including electronics, shipbuilding and construction. Its companies account for up to 20 percent of South Korea's exports, by some estimates.

Lee, widely seen as the driving force behind the rise of Samsung Electronics into a global technology force, hinted earlier this month that he might resign over the scandal following questioning by the special prosecutors.

Besides Lee, nine other Samsung executives were indicted.