Speculation mounts over promotions of Lee’s children


Eyes are turning to Samsung Group’s new management lineup as the announcement is expected to take place as early as this Friday.

A number of Samsung officials said the company’s reshuffling is most likely to be conducted this week, considering that the country’s top conglomerate unveiled its new lineup on Dec. 3 following its annual award ceremony last year.

This year, the group plans to hold an event to name the honorary Samsung fellows on Thursday, which names Samsung employees who made noticeable contributions to the group and its affiliates.

The number of new executives, however, is projected not to be so large as the group has already gone through multiple reshuffles throughout the year, unlike previously.

The number of executives included in the new lineup may be small in size, but the impact of the new callings will likely outmeasure the headcount, according to industry sources.

“It’s been said that the examination process (of the executives) has been given more time and effort compared to previous years, meaning that the new hires could be viewed as thoroughly-checked workers,” said an industry source.

Another point to watch in the following Samsung shakeup is whether Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee’s three children ― Jae-yong, Boo-jin and Seo-hyun ― will be promoted in the yearend reshuffling.

Lee’s heir apparent and only son Jae-yong, who is currently the chief operating officer of the flagship electronics arm, has been at the forefront of the company’s operations by engaging in multiple talks with domestic and foreign business gurus.

Most recently, Jae-yong seemed to be taking on a bigger role in the company, meeting Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook after attending former Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ private funeral in the U.S.

The event, along with his meetings with LG’s Koo Bon-moo and POSCO’s Chung Joon-yang, led some to assume Lee’s rank to be upgraded from president to vice chairman, although it is yet early to make such a projection for it has only been a year since he was named president.

The promotions of Hotel Shilla chief Lee Boo-jin and the youngest Lee Seo-hyun, executive vice president at Cheil Industries, are also being speculated upon as the chairman Lee stressed in August that women should also make their way up the Samsung corporate ladder to become presidents.

Industry sources say it is a matter of time for Lee Seo-hyun, who is building her influence in the fashion industry, to be labeled president of the group’s fashion and clothing affiliate, especially considering that her husband Kim Jae-yeol became president of Cheil Industries earlier this year.

The possibility of seating Kwon Oh-hyun, president of Samsung Electronics’ device solutions unit, as the electronics arm’s second vice chairman, to construct a two-top system ― together with vice chairman Choi Gee-sung ― is another key observation point.

If Kwon is promoted, Choi will take charge of the finished goods such as sets, while Kwon will be responsible for sub-parts.

In its latest shakeup, the group tapped Yoon Soon-bong, president of Samsung Petrochemical Co., as general support chief of Samsung Medical Center and Samsung Electronics’ executive vice president Chung Yoo-sung as head of Samsung Petrochemical.

It has also stripped Samsung Electronics’ LCD division chief Chang Won-kie and Samsung Techwin president Oh Chang-suk of their positions earlier this year.

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