Reaction mixed on Samsung probe

SEOUL, April 17 (UPI) -- Reaction was mixed in South Korea Thursday over a special prosecutor's decision not to pursue bribery charges against Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

"The special counsel has failed to cast light on the extent of bribery that has corrupted our country," Kim In-guk, head of the Catholic Priests' Association for Justice, told the Yonhap News Agency.

Prosecutors indicted Lee on lesser charges of tax evasion and breach of trust. They also indicted nine Samsung executives, including Vice Chairman Lee Hak-soo, Yonhap reported.

"We welcome none of the outcome,", said Shin Hui-jin of the Solidarity for Economic Reform.

Shin expressed disappointment that none of those indicted had been detained.

"Lee has once again succeeded in eluding justice," another civic leader said.

But, one group, The New Right National Union, posted a statement on the Internet that said the investigation was triggered by "leftists" and the outcome was "fair."

"We now need to support Samsung so it can now go back to its business activities," the statement said.