Samsung reaffirms Lee in gradual recovery
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee
Samsung Group, Korea's largest conglomerate, said Sunday its de facto head, Lee Kun-hee, is showing signs of gradual recovery after he was hospitalized following a heart attack, repeatedly dispelling rumors he is in a critical condition.
Lee, chairman of Samsung Electronics, the group's mainstay unit, has been hospitalized since May 9 after receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation for respiratory and heart problems.
"Every medical test result shows that chairman is in a stable condition and is gradually recovering," the group said in a statement. "Doctors say they are reviewing transferring him to a general ward (from the intensive care unit) sooner or later."
Lee, 72, was rushed to a hospital near his home in Seoul on May 10 for breathing problems. He was then taken to Samsung Medical Center where he underwent a procedure to widen blood vessels.
The charismatic tycoon has a history of various health issues, including a bout of lung cancer more than a decade ago, but the latest one comes as the family-run conglomerate is reportedly pushing to accelerate the transfer of managerial power to his only son, Lee Jay-yong.
The elder Lee received around 60 hours of hypothermia treatment through Tuesday, a procedure that helps to prevent toxic material from forming in blood vessels by slowing cell metabolism.
He was still in deep sleep although his body temperature was recovered to normal levels late Tuesday, according to hospital officials.
On Friday, speculation ran high that Lee's condition was deteriorating after a local media outlet reported that Lee had died that day while company and hospital officials kept mum.
Samsung Group has dozens of affiliates under its wing, with its business portfolio ranging from finance and construction to electronics and shipbuilding. The group's sales roughly account for a quarter of the country's gross domestic product. (Yonhap)