Li was released from prison 45 days ago. Before that, he was prosecuted for bribery and other corruption scandals. He spent about a year in prison. The incident also led to the former South Korean President Park Geun-hye. )'s step down.
Samsung’s official stated: “Li Zaiyi has already travelled to Europe to explore new engines for the growth of the company and met with business partners around the world.'
The 50-year-old Li Zaiyu traveled to Europe on Thursday. On the same day, Samsung celebrated the anniversary of the company’s 80th anniversary in a low-key manner.
As South Korea's top business group, Samsung’s recent development has been unsuccessful. Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of the company, has been unable to continue operating because of health reasons and his successor’s imprisonment for the scandal.
Industry watchers said that Li Zaiyu’s overseas trip should be to examine the large-scale mergers and acquisitions that were suspended during his imprisonment, and to find new sources of revenue for Samsung.
The court previously sentenced Li Zaifu to 5 years’ imprisonment because he offered bribes of 8.8 billion won (about 8.2 million U.S. dollars) to former President Park Geun-hye and his good friend Choi Soon-sil. In return, the South Korean government supported Lee Jae-sum. The merger of the two Samsung key departments, the merger is believed to help Lee in strengthening her control of Samsung. But then the court shortened the sentence to two and a half years, suspended for four years to implement.