Samsung CEO announces shock resignation
euronews (in English)
2017-10-13
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Samsung Electronics says its CEO and Vice Chairman is stepping down despite forecasting record third-quarter profits on the back of soaring memory chip prices.
The 64-year-old Oh-Hyun Kwon had been expected to take a bigger role following the February arrest of Samsung Group’s heir apparent Jay Y. Lee
on bribery charges.
Known as “Mr Chip”, Kwon had been with the company since 1985, building up the component business to become the group’s most profitable sector. He will not seek re-election as a member of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Board but will serve out his current term, which ends in March, 2018.
In an emotional letter sent to all employees, Vice Chairman Kwon said that announcing his retirement was the most difficult thing for him to do, but now was the right time and that he believes his decision is in the best interest of the company.
“It is something I had been thinking long and hard about for quite some time. It has not been an easy decision, but I feel I can no longer put it off,” he said “As we are confronted with unprecedented crisis inside out, I believe that the time has now come for the company to start anew, with a new spirit and young leadership to better respond to challenges arising from the rapidly changing IT industry.”
Kwon stated that during the past 32 years when he served as both a researcher and CEO, he has witnessed the company emerge as a global leader in the semiconductor business and that he harbors a “deep sense of pride and honor to have taken part in the company’s incredible journey to success.”
“There are no words to describe how proud I am that we built together one of the most valuable companies in the world. We have come a long way to create a company that truly changes how people live, work and communicate with each other. But now the company needs a new leader more than ever and it is time for me to move to the next chapter of my life.” He ended his remarks to employees by saying, “I would like to share my sense of pride and honor with you, and thank each one of you for your dedication and commitment to the company.”
The 64-year-old Oh-Hyun Kwon had been expected to take a bigger role following the February arrest of Samsung Group’s heir apparent Jay Y. Lee
on bribery charges.
Known as “Mr Chip”, Kwon had been with the company since 1985, building up the component business to become the group’s most profitable sector. He will not seek re-election as a member of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Board but will serve out his current term, which ends in March, 2018.
In an emotional letter sent to all employees, Vice Chairman Kwon said that announcing his retirement was the most difficult thing for him to do, but now was the right time and that he believes his decision is in the best interest of the company.
“It is something I had been thinking long and hard about for quite some time. It has not been an easy decision, but I feel I can no longer put it off,” he said “As we are confronted with unprecedented crisis inside out, I believe that the time has now come for the company to start anew, with a new spirit and young leadership to better respond to challenges arising from the rapidly changing IT industry.”
Kwon stated that during the past 32 years when he served as both a researcher and CEO, he has witnessed the company emerge as a global leader in the semiconductor business and that he harbors a “deep sense of pride and honor to have taken part in the company’s incredible journey to success.”
“There are no words to describe how proud I am that we built together one of the most valuable companies in the world. We have come a long way to create a company that truly changes how people live, work and communicate with each other. But now the company needs a new leader more than ever and it is time for me to move to the next chapter of my life.” He ended his remarks to employees by saying, “I would like to share my sense of pride and honor with you, and thank each one of you for your dedication and commitment to the company.”
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