With the sentencing of Samsung's heir apparent Lee Jaeyong slated for next week, there has been growing speculations over whether the tech giant will change its previous strategy on consolidating his leadership.
There is general consensus among Samsung insiders as well as chaebol reformists that the conglomerate will not give up on Lee and will try to put his succession back on track.
But they differ on the question of whether Samsung does not have a future without him.
Samsung has no "contingency plan" even if the worst scenario happens to Lee, a Samsung Electronics executive was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency on Monday, indicating that Lee's position is irreplaceable.
The prosecution has requested 12 years in jail for the Samsung Electronics vice chairman on charges of bribery, perjury and flight of capital.
The best case for the 49 year old billionaire will be for the court to find him innocent on all charges, or at least not guilty on the accusation of bribery.
The bribery charges against Lee, based on the circumstantial evidence of his secret meetings with former President Park Geun hue, is at the center of the trial, which could put him in jail for six to seven years.
The court's decision is also a prelude to the fate of the ousted president, who is charged with pressuring the tycoons of Korean conglomerates in exchange for favors given to her longtime friend Choi Soon sil.
Even if the worst happens, it is unlikely that Samsung Electronic's leadership structure will colapse , as the tech giant has three CEOs that each control its semiconductors, consumer electronics and mobile businesses.
Along with Lee, the three CEOs are also registered members of the boardroom. The company also has 13 presidents managing its daily operations.
Despite its heir apparent facing the most humiliating trial in Samsung history, the crown jewel of the conglomerate, Samsung Electronics, was set to become the most profitable company in the world in the second quarter, beating Apple for the first time.
The share price of Samsung Electronics has surged 32 percent this year.
"Samsung is not a one man company but a global firm managed by CEOs who are real experts in their respective fields," a Samsung official said.
What Samsung fears is the uncertainty Lee's absence would cause in the long term.
Since the late 1980s, Samsung has been under the leadership of Lee's father, Lee Kun hee, who spearheaded Samsung Electronics along with other affiliates ranging from finance to biopharmaceuticals.
The chairman's son has been expected to carry on.
"I think he has played an important role, such as by seeking a big picture for Samsung by building global networks with entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, something that other CEOs tied up with daily operations can't do," the Samsung official said.
He denied rumors that Samsung's merger and acquisition plans are on hold because Lee is in jail.
The heir apparent had been ready to test his management skills and prove to the world that he is the legitimate leader and face of Samsung, the official added, but Lee did not get the chance to do so - as he had mentioned in his plea during a hearing.
Cho Chung in
Korea Herald/ Ann/ Seoul
There is general consensus among Samsung insiders as well as chaebol reformists that the conglomerate will not give up on Lee and will try to put his succession back on track.
But they differ on the question of whether Samsung does not have a future without him.
Samsung has no "contingency plan" even if the worst scenario happens to Lee, a Samsung Electronics executive was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency on Monday, indicating that Lee's position is irreplaceable.
The prosecution has requested 12 years in jail for the Samsung Electronics vice chairman on charges of bribery, perjury and flight of capital.
The best case for the 49 year old billionaire will be for the court to find him innocent on all charges, or at least not guilty on the accusation of bribery.
The bribery charges against Lee, based on the circumstantial evidence of his secret meetings with former President Park Geun hue, is at the center of the trial, which could put him in jail for six to seven years.
The court's decision is also a prelude to the fate of the ousted president, who is charged with pressuring the tycoons of Korean conglomerates in exchange for favors given to her longtime friend Choi Soon sil.
Even if the worst happens, it is unlikely that Samsung Electronic's leadership structure will colapse , as the tech giant has three CEOs that each control its semiconductors, consumer electronics and mobile businesses.
Along with Lee, the three CEOs are also registered members of the boardroom. The company also has 13 presidents managing its daily operations.
Despite its heir apparent facing the most humiliating trial in Samsung history, the crown jewel of the conglomerate, Samsung Electronics, was set to become the most profitable company in the world in the second quarter, beating Apple for the first time.
The share price of Samsung Electronics has surged 32 percent this year.
"Samsung is not a one man company but a global firm managed by CEOs who are real experts in their respective fields," a Samsung official said.
What Samsung fears is the uncertainty Lee's absence would cause in the long term.
Since the late 1980s, Samsung has been under the leadership of Lee's father, Lee Kun hee, who spearheaded Samsung Electronics along with other affiliates ranging from finance to biopharmaceuticals.
The chairman's son has been expected to carry on.
"I think he has played an important role, such as by seeking a big picture for Samsung by building global networks with entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, something that other CEOs tied up with daily operations can't do," the Samsung official said.
He denied rumors that Samsung's merger and acquisition plans are on hold because Lee is in jail.
The heir apparent had been ready to test his management skills and prove to the world that he is the legitimate leader and face of Samsung, the official added, but Lee did not get the chance to do so - as he had mentioned in his plea during a hearing.
Cho Chung in
Korea Herald/ Ann/ Seoul
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