By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
With South Korea’s technology giant Samsung Electronics struggling due to deepening bribery woes including the Samsung Group’s key affiliates, its vice chairman himself is continuing a rare move in response to the mounting possibilities of losing key strategic partners especially in southern region of Asia.
Samsung Electronics said Wednesday that its Vice Chairman and CEO Yun Jong-yong will visit Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia from March 30 for one week.
``As far as I know, he will hold a strategic meeting with key Samsung officials in the Southeast Asian countries and seek to find new business opportunities,’’ a Samsung spokesperson told The Korea Times.
``Yun will also have several meetings with big clients in those countries to soothe concerns over the scandal,’’ the official said, adding that he plans to visit plants producing consumer electronic goods such as televisions and monitors.
Since the late 1990s, Samsung Electronics has been producing flat-screen television sets, freezers, washers and air-conditioners in the countries. It also has sales outposts in Thailand and Malaysia.
According to Samsung officials, the company has been strengthening its capabilities in home appliances to meet growing demand for expensive sets, there.
``While North American and European markets are still the biggest spots for our global sales, we should not lose such strategic markets,’’ another Samsung official said, adding the company has sensed some ominous signs of its relations with key distribution channels at there.
Yun’s overseas trip comes a month after he paid a rare trip to India and Turkey for similar reasons. On the previous trip, Yun promised stable procurement of products to Turkish and Indian clients despite the woes.
Separately, he met with Michael Dell, Chairman of Dell, Tuesday and has been reportedly discussed the possible expansion of computer chips and high-end solid-state drives to the world’s No. 2 PC maker.