Part 8/9:
As subsequent administrations struggled to reframe relations with chaebols, the cycle of corruption continued. President Moon Jae-in's pledges to address corporate malfeasance were undermined by the persistent power of Samsung and its leader Lee Jae-young—who had his own brushes with the law yet remained the richest man in Korea.
The Future of Chaebol Influence
Despite the societal push for reform, Samsung's influence remains pronounced: more than mere conglomerates, these chaebol families wield significant political and economic power that shapes national interests. Many South Koreans find themselves caught in a paradox; while they resent the current system, they also fear the ramifications of upsetting the powerful families at play.