By Park Si-soo
Samsung Electronics has halted sales of its troubled Galaxy Note 7 smartphones globally and urged its users to stop using their phones.
This decision cames one day after the Korean electronics giant temporarily suspended production of the device amid mounting pressure over continuing reports that replacement devices are also catching fire.
U.S. mobile carriers -- AT&T and T-Mobile -- have put additional pressure on Samsung by stopping sales and exchanges of Galaxy Note 7s.
"Because consumers' safety remains our top priority, Samsung will ask all carrier and retail partners globally to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note7 while the investigation is taking place," Samsung said in a statement. "Consumers with either an original Galaxy Note7 or replacement Galaxy Note7 device should power down and stop using the device and take advantage of the remedies available."