Posted on : Jan.30,2007 14:50 KST

Lee Ki-tae had reportedly been riled by change in job title

Lee Ki-tae, the vice chairman and chief technology officer of Samsung Electronics, who had not shown up at the office reportedly in protest of his position shift at Samsung Group a week ago, finally returned to the office on January 29.

Samsung Electronics said - albeit after the fact - that Lee had taken a week-long leave in order to receive dental treatment. However, sources say that Lee actually did not make an official leave request. In addition, Lee was a no-show at a high-profile global meeting on January 25, held to establish business goals and management strategies for the year. Lee has not appeared at work since the announcement of personnel changes in the Samsung Group on January 15.

In connection with a Hankyoreh report last year containing the results of an internal company check of Lee’s managerial strategies and organizational skills, both of which were rated poorly, he said, "Outsiders cannot have access to this information, so someone in Samsung must have revealed them." His division, Samsung’s mobile handset branch, received the lowest mark possible, which some are saying led to Lee’s shuffle. However, other sources within the company said that management was just looking for an excuse to cast Lee aside.

Lee had been head of Samsung’s telecommunications network business; his position change to vice chairman was portrayed by the company as a promotion, though Lee was reportedly riled by the shuffle.


Through an official corporate announcement on January 29, following his return to work, Lee said, "The secret of creative management, which chairman Lee Kun-hee emphasizes, is technological innovation. To lead the new vision of Samsung Electronics, I will aim for victory via technology."

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]


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