While the head of South Korea’s Samsung Group, Jay Y. Lee, may be in jail, reports say he is allowed plenty of visitors, which may allow him to still play a key role in corporate decisions.

Lee, who didn’t attend last Thursday’s preparatory hearing for his trial on bribery, embezzlement and other charges, is kept well away from most other inmates at the Seoul Detention Centre, some of whom are also defendants in the corruption scandal.

Under South Korean regulations, though, Lee can meet any of his battery of attorneys without time limits and as often as he wants during business hours.