Samsung Threatens Suit Over Reports of Chairman’s Condition

Irked by continuing reports of chairman Lee Kun-hee’s failing health, the Samsung Group has threatened legal action against media outlets carrying the stories fueling the speculation.  Commenting on this possibility, a Samsung spokesman stated that “we’ve repeatedly requested media with unsubstantiated reports for corrections. If they do not comply, we may file suit.”

Rumors of the chairman’s health have been widespread since he suffered a heart attack earlier this month. One report this past week had the Samsung chairman dying on May 16th, explaining that Samsung was hiding the news in the meantime. The company has maintained that Lee is steadily recuperating.

Chairman Lee is South Korea’s richest man.  He has been at the controls of the Korean conglomerate since 1987.

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Sean Hayes may be contacted at: SeanHayes@ipglegal.com. Sean Hayes is co-chair of the Korea Practice Team at IPG Legal. He is the first non-Korean attorney to have worked for the Korean court system (Constitutional Court of Korea) and one of the first non-Koreans to be a regular member of a Korean law faculty. He has, recently, been ranked as one of only two non-Korean attorneys as a Top Attorney working in Korea by AsiaLaw.