By Kim Yoo-chul
Samsung Electronics is planning to speed up its ongoing reshuffle of top management, its chairman said Friday.
``No fixed dates have been set for a shake-up of top Samsung executives because any possible changes depend on the situation,’’ said Lee Kun-hee in a meeting with reporters at Gimpo Airport.
Lee arrived from Durban, South Africa, where he was sponsoring PyeongChang’s third and ultimately successful bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.
His remarks came a few days after the world’s biggest technology company by revenue created a so-called ``device solutions’’ unit, encompassing its flat-screen and semiconductor businesses.
Chang Won-kie, the chief of Samsung’s LCD business was placed in an advisory role, taking responsibility for the division’s sluggish performance in the rare mid-year reshuffle.
Samsung Electronics is being challenged to revive its traditionally-strong component-related businesses amid the slower global economic recovery and weak demand for consumer electronics in the United States and Europe.
Samsung estimated that its second quarter earnings will be lower than a year ago due to weakness in its component businesses.
The company is the world’s biggest supplier of computer memory chips and flat-screens.
But Samsung officials denied speculation that a major shake-up was unlikely citing the chairman’s comments.
``Attention is being focused on who will be the next target to be replaced,’’ said a Samsung executive, asking not to be identified.
The business tycoon praised President Lee Myung-bak’s support for PyeongChang in winning the bid, adding he will play a consistent supportive role.
``I thought we did good job and my personal burden has been lessened,’’ he told reporters.