By Kim Yoo-chul
LAS VEGAS - Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee rarely publicly praise his firm while his son, Jay-yong, its chief operating officer (COO), usually keeps a low media profile.
Both broke from their usual behavior at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). They showed the company’s confidence as a global pacesetter in the rapidly-changing global electronics world, reflecting its new status.
"Japan is losing vitality. Chinese companies are rising but they need more time to catch up with Samsung,’’ the senior Lee said Friday.
He was educated in Japan and has been a strong advocate of Japanese business models.
Even at the height of the Toyota debacle, Lee still stressed that there was much for Korea to learn from its neighbor, formerly the world's second largest economy.
But his remarks come at a time when Samsung is emerging to replace Japanese firms as the global pacesetter.
“I’m still concerned because our rivals will surge past Samsung in the next few years or within the next decade,” he went on to say,``Basically, our Galaxy phones and televisions are outstanding; however, I feel we need to lead markets in more areas with diversified fields.’’
The chairman said his firm will also strive to make investments, create more jobs and be an innovator this year. ``Always, Samsung will be aggressive in investment. We will hire more qualified employees and young people.
``The economy in the United States was struggling last year, however, we’ve seen some improvements recently,’’ he said without elaborating further.
Meanwhile, the COO Lee appeared to have logged the most mileage at the technology exhibition.
The heir apparent of the senior Lee was often seen checking the latest devices and comparing them with his firm's present and future lineup.
Jay-yong was caught during a rare moment alone at the Samsung booth.
First, he showed modesty when asked to talk to reporters more often. “I am not a great public speaker,” Lee said with a sheepish smile.
But he became confident when he started to talk about his company’s products.
“These items displayed at our booth only touch the surface of our power,” Jay-yong said. "We have core products displayed elsewhere.”
His observation matches trends by electronics giants such as Apple and Microsoft that are increasingly choose not to attend the annual showcase that brings a great number of brands together to opt for an exclusive show devoted to their own products.
Jay-yong revealed no plans to skip CES any time soon but hinted at Samsung’s wish to hold its own exclusive show.
Samsung Electronics has so far been using the CES as a springboard to demonstrate its prowess to clients and partners by exhibiting advanced digital devices such as cutting-edge TVs, monitors, laptops and smartphones.
Samsung is already the world’s top maker of flat-screen TVs, while it passed Apple as the top seller of smartphones, its biggest rival in the sector, in the third quarter of last year.
``Many products have yet to be released in markets. If Samsung shows them all at our booth, then copycat items will emerge, which is our biggest concern,’’ said junior Lee.