According to a court official, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee has been excused from attending an accounting fraud trial hearing on Friday because he will be hosting the US President’s tour of a semiconductor plant in South Korea.

Although the defendant’s presence is generally essential to protect his right to defend himself, the Seoul Central District Court allowed Lee’s plea to not appear because witnesses’ testimony can be recorded and the defendant alerted, according to the spokeswoman.

According to South Korean media, Lee will accompany US President Joe Biden on a visit of the world’s largest semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Seoul.

It is scheduled to be Biden’s first destination on his first Asian tour as President of the United States.

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