South Koreans will be unable to watch the forthcoming sentencing hearing for Samsung Group’s heir on live television.
 
The Seoul Central District Court said on Wednesday that it would not televise the sentencing of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong because it could unfairly hurt the defendant’s interests.
 
Last month, the Supreme Court revised court rules to allow live broadcasting of lower court sentencing hearings that draw significant public attention.
 
The revised rules have given the judge assigned to each case the right to determine whether cameras and live broadcasting will be permitted, regardless of the defendant's consent, if broadcasting the proceedings will serve a greater public interest.
 
The court will decide a verdict on Lee on Friday. He was indicted on charges of offering or promising some 43-point-three billion won worth of bribes to former President Park Geun-hye and her friend Choi Soon-sil.