All eyes are on the new business roadmap anticipated to be drawn up by Samsung Electronics’ chairman Lee Kun-hee upon his return to the country following a three-month leave that began in January.

The chief of the country’s top conglomerate is known for embarking on such self-imposed pilgrimages ahead of making big decisions for coping with challenges facing the company. 

This time, the challenge will consist of how to tackle the sluggish global economy and further ramp up flagship Samsung Electronics, Samsung’s core affiliate and the world’s top maker of handsets, chips and TVs.

“I met a lot of people, traveled to many places and thought a lot about future projects,” he told reporters upon his arrival at Gimpo International Airport on Saturday.

“We always need to be conscious of a crisis and not be relieved that it’s been 20 years since the group has practiced its new business management system. We need to work harder to stay ahead and research objects more deeply and with improved vision.”

Lee is expected to check in at his office in southern Seoul this week to pay renewed attention to the issues at stake for Samsung.

When the chairman previously left the country for prolonged periods of time, he has brought in surprising changes in business operations.

In 1993, Lee unveiled the conglomerate’s new management system and ordered the employees to change everything except their spouses and children following a six-month leave.

He also changed the head of Samsung’s strategic planning office, a de facto control tower, after staying in Europe for a month last year.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)