The Korea Herald

소아쌤

Samsung has no plan to move hospitalized chief on MERS woes: source

By 안성미

Published : June 7, 2015 - 12:07

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Samsung Group, South Korea's largest conglomerate, has no plan to transfer its chief Lee Kun-hee, who is receiving treatment at an affiliated hospital that has been hit hard by Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a group source said Sunday.

The 73-year-old Lee, head of Samsung Electronics Co., has been hospitalized at Samsung Medical Center in southern Seoul since May last year after suffering a heart attack.

Out of 64 South Korean MERS patients, 17 have been infected with the virus at the hospital, according to the government.

Samsung Medical Center in southern Seoul (Yonhap) Samsung Medical Center in southern Seoul (Yonhap)

But a Samsung source said that it is currently not reviewing the possible movement of its head as Lee has recovered to "a stable condition."

"We are not considering transferring hospitalized patients into other hospitals as MERS-related situations are under control through consultations with the government," a Samsung Medical Center official said.

A local online newspaper recently revealed a photo of Lee lying on a bed at the hospital breathing by himself without the help of a respirator.

Samsung said last week that Lee is receiving rehabilitation treatment.

In the second half of last year, Samsung completed the construction of an elevator at Lee's home to prepare for "diverse possibilities," including his return home or treatment at home. (Yonhap)