In a major win for Samsung’s top executive, a Seoul appeals court has upheld the decision to clear Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee of all charges tied to a controversial 2015 merger. The case revolved around accusations of accounting fraud and stock manipulation involving the merger of Samsung affiliates Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T.

Prosecutors had claimed that the merger was engineered to strengthen Lee’s grip on Samsung, South Korea’s largest electronics company. They also argued that the move hurt Samsung C&T shareholders. However, the court rejected these claims, stating that the merger was carried out with the consent of both companies and followed standard procedures.

The ruling comes after a lower court acquitted Lee last year. This legal battle has been ongoing for nearly a decade, starting with Lee’s indictment in September 2020. At that time, he and other former Samsung executives were accused of pushing through the merger to secure control over the tech giant.

During the November 2023 hearing, Lee firmly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the merger was legitimate. Prosecutors had sought a five-year jail term and a hefty fine, but the court dismissed their appeal.

This decision marks the end of a long legal saga for Lee, who has faced multiple legal challenges since 2015. The case had also drawn attention to corporate governance issues within Samsung. Prosecutors now have the option to appeal to South Korea’s Supreme Court, but no decision has been made yet.

For now, Lee and Samsung can breathe a sigh of relief as this chapter comes to a close.