Prosecutors have alleged that Choi Jinseog, stole sensitive information developed by the world's top memory chipmaker to help his client set up a chip factory in China.

Prosecutors earlier this month indicted the former Samsung executive for illegally obtaining secret information to build a semiconductor plant only 1.5km from a Samsung factory in Xian, China.

Prosecutors say they estimate the theft of the data to have inflicted at least US$233 million worth of losses on Samsung Electronics.

An internal memo says Samsung is working to find ways to use generative AI services in a 'security safe environment for employees so that work efficiency and convenience can be enhanced'.

The pardon is largely symbolic, with Lee already out on parole after serving 18 months in jail for bribery relating to his time leading the world's biggest smartphone and memory-chip maker.

The factory will be Samsung SDI's second in Malaysia, with the first making cylindrical batteries for electric vehicle customers.

The ad touched off a wave of online criticism, with one group labelling it 'an unfortunate attempt to push the LGBT ideology into a largely conservative Muslim community'.

Lee Jae-yong was fined US$60,000 by the Seoul Central District Court, around 0.0006% of his estimated US$10.2 billion fortune.

Jay Y Lee, who had been the de facto head of Samsung, was serving time for charges related to bribery.

Samsung holds its top position with Apple in third place and Oppo and Vivo in fourth and fifth.

His lawyer says he 'will humbly accept the ruling and has decided not to appeal'.

It's the latest twist in a convoluted legal controversy that has dogged Samsung for years.