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Samsung's vice chairman Jae-yong Lee was sentenced to five years in prison for a bribe. The appellate court, however, was released on probation as the amount of bribes dropped significantly. The first and second trials were mixed. In August, the Supreme Court broke the appeal and sent the case back. Samsung told Choi Soon-sil's daughter, Jeong Yura, that she should pay the bribes to pay for the three horses and the Winter Gifted Center's grant. The first trial of the repatriation hearing was held today (25th), when the presiding judge made an unusual admonition to Vice-President Lee.

I'm Ahn Sang-woo.

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Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, attended the Seoul High Court at 9:30 am today.

It's been 627 days since he was released in February last year.

[Lee Jae Yong / Vice Chairman, Samsung Electronics: (How are you?) I am very sorry for your concern. Sorry.]

When the trial began, Mr. Lee clarified his strategy to fight "penalties."

The lawyers said, "We will not quarrel allegations that the Supreme Court has found guilty."

That means focusing on staying on probation.

After a brief workshop by the Special Prosecutors and the Lawyers, Judge Chung Jun-young, the vice chairman of the Seoul High Court, made an unusual statement to Lee.

"We need a strong compliance monitoring system inside Samsung to prevent the same crime from happening again," Chung said. "Contribute to changing the damage of the chaebol."

"The 51-year-old Chairman Lee Kun-hee overcame the crisis with the declaration," he asked, "What kind of declaration will this vice-president of the same age make?"

Lee did not respond specifically.

The court has decided to hold two more due dates, dividing the vice chairman's guilt and sentencing.

(Video coverage: Ju Yong Jin and Doo Won Won, Video editing: Hwang Ji Young)