A special prosecutor's team looking into a political scandal involving President Park Geun-hye requested the arrest warrant on Monday for Samsung Electronics' vice chairman Lee Jae-yong. It is accusing Lee of bribery, embezzlement, and other charges.

The Seoul Central District Court summoned Lee for questioning on Wednesday, which lasted 4 hours.

South Korean media report that the court denied the request early Thursday.

The court reportedly judged there was not enough reason to issue the arrest warrant for Lee at this point.

Lee returned home from a detention house where he was awaiting the court decision.

The prosecutors say Lee paid about 36 million dollars to 2 foundations closely linked to the president's confidante Choi Soon-sil, in return for favors from the presidential office involving the merger of 2 Samsung affiliates.

The merger is believed to have been necessary for Lee to become head of the group's management.

Local media report that denial of the arrest warrant could deal a heavy blow to the prosecutors, who had planned to arrest Lee, while overriding concern about the negative impact on the country's economy.