Samsung chairman keeps fortune in inheritance case

The battle brought longstanding family resentments into the open, highlighting the struggles for control that can happen at the heart of South Korea's chaebol as the family-owned conglomerates that dominate the country's economy are known.

Lee Kun-hee, 71, called his older brother "greedy." Meng-hee described Lee as "acting childish."

The 81-year-old Meng-hee, the oldest of three sons, was briefly tapped to lead Samsung but gave up the leadership role that later went to his younger brother. Meng-hee lives in China and until the inheritance battle had kept a low profile. His son heads CJ, a food and entertainment conglomerate that has its roots in Samsung.

Before announcing the ruling, the judge said he wished the brothers would reconcile and live in harmony.

Samsung's vast business empire spans many industries including finance, chemicals and consumer electronics. Samsung Electronics Co. is the world's largest maker of smartphones, imitating and then out-selling the iPhone by Apple Inc.