SEOUL—Lee Jae-yong, the de facto leader of the Samsung conglomerate, was arrested over his alleged role in a corruption scandal that has shaken South Korea’s political and corporate establishments and led to the president’s impeachment.

The Seoul Central District Court early Friday in Seoul approved prosecutors’ request to detain Mr. Lee, the 48-year-old heir to the Samsung empire, on multiple allegations including bribery. The court didn’t comment specifically on other allegations made by prosecutors. Prosecutors will have...