How long shall Lee Kun-hee be unconscious?

Samsung Medical Center(Photo : NEWSis)

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee has remained unconscious until Tuesday. It seems that it will take more time until he regains consciousness, according to sources, May 13.

Samsung Medical Center (SMC) said Lee had briefly experienced trouble breathing but his condition then stabilized, though he remained under sedation.

An SMC spokesman said, “Lee is in a quite stable condition. The treatment is aimed at a complete recovery, although it may take some time.”

“Even if Lee gains consciousness, it will not be easy to tell whether or not his brain will have been affected. It’s highly likely that the chairman will need a few more months for a full recovery,” said a senior doctor.

Lee’s two daughters are staying by their father’s side along with their mother Hong Ra-hee, according to officials at SMC and Samsung. His daughter Lee Boo-jin has stayed at the hospital for the three days since Lee was hospitalized.

Samsung family increases stock wealth while Lee is ill

While Lee Kun-hee is being treated, he and his family members added 580 billion won (US$567.5 million) to their stock value in the two trading days following his hospitalization from a heart attack, data showed Wednesday morning. It appears that investors bet on pro-shareholder steps by Samsung Group to facilitate corporate succession to the next generation of heirs.

The value of Lee’s shares in Samsung affiliates came to 11.1 trillion won as of May 13, compared with the 10.7 trillion on May 9, the last trading session before his hospitalization, according to the data from market researcher Chaebul.com.

Lee’s 3.38 percent stake in Samsung Electronics, the flagship of the business group, gained 324.1 billion won to 6.9 trillion won. His 20.76 percent stake in Samsung Life Insurance Co. raked in another 132.9 billion won, and his shares in Samsung C&T, 1.41 percent, rose 3.8 billion won.

Samsung Electronics shares advanced 4.8 percent over the two days to 206.2 trillion won. Shares of Samsung Life, Samsung C&T, Hotel Shilla Co. and Cheil Worldwide Inc. also increased 3.4 percent, 2.55 percent, 2.57 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.