[Chairman Lee Kun-hee Passes Away] Vietnamese Media Reports in Succession... Major Southeast Asian Countries Also Show 'Interest'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Major Southeast Asian media outlets, including those in Vietnam where Samsung Electronics' smartphone factory is located, are reportedly giving significant coverage to the news of the passing of Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

On the 25th, the state-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) posted the news of Chairman Lee's death on the main page of its website, stating, "Chairman Lee grew Samsung into Korea's largest company with dozens of affiliates in many fields such as electronics, insurance, shipbuilding, and construction."

Other local state media such as the daily Tuoi Tre and Nhan Dan, as well as prominent online media like Zing and VN Express, also consecutively reported on Chairman Lee's passing.

Samsung Electronics produces about half of its smartphones in Vietnam. Samsung Electronics is the largest foreign investor in Vietnam. The export volume of Samsung Electronics Vietnam accounts for as much as 25% of Vietnam's total exports, highlighting its significant importance.

Meanwhile, the Thai daily Bangkok Post reported the news of Chairman Lee's passing on its business page, and Philippine media such as GMA News also covered the news prominently on their world news sections. The Singapore daily The Straits Times also posted the news of Chairman Lee's death on the main page of its website.