Reuters: [2] Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jay Y Lee has been excused from attending an accounting fraud trial hearing yesterday, a court spokesperson said, as he is expected to host the US President’s tour of a semiconductor plant in South Korea.

[3] Although the defendant’s attendance is required as a rule to ensure his right to defend, the Seoul Central District Court granted Lee’s request to not attend as witnesses’ testimony can be recorded and the defendant notified, the spokesperson said.

[4] Lee is expected to be accompanying US President Joe Biden during his tour of the world’s largest semiconductor plant located in the city of Pyeongtaek about 50 km (30 miles) from Seoul, South Korean media have said.