By Joyce Lee

SEOUL (Reuters). – Samsung Electronics (OTC) Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee was excused from Friday’s accounting fraud trial hearing. A court spokesperson stated that Lee is scheduled to be hosting the U.S. President’s visit of a South Korean semiconductor plant.

The defendant must attend the courtroom in order to protect his rights to defend. However, Lee was granted permission by the Seoul Central District Court to refuse to appear as testimony witnesses can be recorded.

According to South Korean media, Lee will be joining Joe Biden on his visit of Pyeongtaek in South Korea. It is located about 50km (30 miles) away from Seoul.

Biden will likely make this his first stop in South Korea on the first leg of his Asia trip.

This would mark Lee’s most prominent public appearance since his August 2012 release from prison following a conviction for bribery.

Lee’s absence is rare. He has been present at all hearings for a separate case in relation to the $8 million merger of two Samsung (KS.) firms, according to court records.

Lee was accused by 2020 of stock-price manipulation, accounting fraud and other related charges. Lee denied all allegations.

Samsung’s biggest restructuring since 2017 has included major steps such as choosing Taylor Texas, Texas, as its U.S. site for its $17 Billion chip plant. It also combined its mobile electronics divisions with its consumer electronics unit and appointed new co-chief executives.