Samsung heir's release will not kill South Korea's reform drive

Public anger over cosy government-business ties will force change

20180208_Lee Jae-yong leaves a detention center

Samsung Electronics Lee Jae-yong leaves a detention center in Uiwang, South Korea, on Feb. 5 after an appeals court cut his sentence.

The release from prison of Lee Jae-yong, the heir to the Samsung corporate empire, might look like a setback for hopes of reform of the dominance of the chaebol business groups in South Korea.

But supporters of change should not be too disheartened. The popular anger about the cosy and sometimes corrupt links between business and politics is so strong that reforms will come any way.

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