South Korea's top conglomerate Samsung Group sought stability over risk in its first personnel reshuffle announced Monday since the hospitalization of its de-facto head Lee Kun-hee in May, with his heir taking a wait-and-see stance in expanding his presence.

"This year, Samsung Electronics Co., as well as many other companies suffered in their earnings compared to a year earlier,"

said Samsung's top spokesman Lee June. "Therefore, we have decided to narrow the scope of personnel reshuffling."

Under the move, 11 president-level officials were promoted or relocated to affiliates and business divisions across the Samsung empire.

Shin Jong-kyun, who heads Samsung Electronics Co.'s mainstay handset unit, was not included in the latest personnel reshuffle, despite its earnings losing ground over previous quarters.

Other top officials of Samsung Electronics, Yoon Boo-keun, the head of consumer electronics units, and Kwon Oh-hyun, who heads the device solution arm, also kept their posts.

Samsung said its personnel reshuffle was aimed at seeking sustainable development, adding that Shin deserved to stay in his post despite disappointing earnings as he has "contributed a lot in making (Samsung) a global mobile firm."

"We believe Shin will have many opportunities to make great strides in the changing environments down the road," the spokesman added.

Kim Jae-youl, president of corporate planning at Samsung Engineering Co., was named as president of sports business at Cheil Worldwide Inc. Kim is married to Lee Seo-hyun, the second daughter of Lee Kun-hee and the head of the fashion arm of Cheil Industries Inc., and also holds a post in Cheil Worldwide.

Hong Won-pyo, previously the head of Samsung Electronics' Media Solution Center, was relocated to the company's Global Marketing Strategy Office. 

The division, which focuses on developing content such as music and electronic books for mobile devices, has been reducing its activities amid lackluster performances

Samsung, however, said it would not dismantle the Media Solution Center, but will seek a reorganization after the personnel reshuffle process ends.

Lee Jay-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics also kept his seat and was not promoted to chairman as some industry watchers anticipated in line with the move to expand his power amid his father's hospitalization.

"Nothing has been decided regarding to (the promotion of Jay-yong)," said the top communications official. "Since the chairman in still in bed, it is inappropriate to discuss the matter."

Samsung's head was rushed to a hospital near his home in Seoul on May 10 after experiencing difficulty breathing and later confirmed to have suffered a heart attack. His vacancy urgently called for reviewing the group's business strategy ahead of a managerial transfer to his children and focusing on mainstay businesses for the future. (Yonhap)