Vice Chairman Kwon says truth will unveil
By Yoon Sung-won
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun said Monday that management will take all steps to overcome the current crisis and called for employees to muster unity against upcoming challenges.
In a rare intranet message to all Samsung Electronics employees Monday, Kwon said, "The business environment that the company faces is so competitive that we cannot remain shocked and embarrassed for long," he said.
His message came after Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong was sentenced to five years in prison for bribery and other charges.
"We all need to join our strengths and wisdom to emerge from this unprecedented challenge," Kwon said.
Kwon, the interim leader of Korea's largest company by any measure, also revealed his hope that the guilty verdict at the trial may be changed through an appellate hearing.
"The defense counsel cannot agree with the legal judgment and fact finding in the trial and has decided to appeal," Kwon said.
"I believe all of you must be devastated about the Seoul Central District Court's ruling. The executives also feel distressed. Though the current uncertainty is regrettable, let's stay steady until the truth is revealed."
The message from Kwon came amid growing concerns both from inside and outside the company that the leadership void may undermine employee morale. The message has drawn more than 1,000 recommendations from Samsung employees after it was posted on the intranet at 7 a.m., according to company officials.
As Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee has been bed-ridden since collapsing in 2014 due to a heart attack, his son, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, headed Samsung Electronics. As he is behind bars now, observers point out Vice Chairman Kwon now plays the role of acting leader of Samsung Electronics.
Kwon is also the chairman of Samsung Electronics' board of directors and the head of the company's semiconductor business division, which continues to chalk up record profits.
While all Samsung affiliates have pledged to seek for greater autonomy under the leadership of their respective CEOs, Kwon is expected to play a bigger role not just at Samsung Electronics but also throughout Samsung affiliates, according to sources.
By Yoon Sung-won
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| Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun |
In a rare intranet message to all Samsung Electronics employees Monday, Kwon said, "The business environment that the company faces is so competitive that we cannot remain shocked and embarrassed for long," he said.
His message came after Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong was sentenced to five years in prison for bribery and other charges.
"We all need to join our strengths and wisdom to emerge from this unprecedented challenge," Kwon said.
Kwon, the interim leader of Korea's largest company by any measure, also revealed his hope that the guilty verdict at the trial may be changed through an appellate hearing.
"The defense counsel cannot agree with the legal judgment and fact finding in the trial and has decided to appeal," Kwon said.
"I believe all of you must be devastated about the Seoul Central District Court's ruling. The executives also feel distressed. Though the current uncertainty is regrettable, let's stay steady until the truth is revealed."
The message from Kwon came amid growing concerns both from inside and outside the company that the leadership void may undermine employee morale. The message has drawn more than 1,000 recommendations from Samsung employees after it was posted on the intranet at 7 a.m., according to company officials.
As Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee has been bed-ridden since collapsing in 2014 due to a heart attack, his son, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, headed Samsung Electronics. As he is behind bars now, observers point out Vice Chairman Kwon now plays the role of acting leader of Samsung Electronics.
Kwon is also the chairman of Samsung Electronics' board of directors and the head of the company's semiconductor business division, which continues to chalk up record profits.
While all Samsung affiliates have pledged to seek for greater autonomy under the leadership of their respective CEOs, Kwon is expected to play a bigger role not just at Samsung Electronics but also throughout Samsung affiliates, according to sources.
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