3 Samsung senior execs to go: source

Seoul

THREE deputies to the head of Samsung Electronics' mobile division are leaving, a person with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday, as the world's largest smartphone maker faces a rapid decline in profit. The person, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the executives directly report to division chief JK Shin, who this week retained his post despite sagging smartphone sales and expectations the company will see its worst annual profit in three years in 2014.

The departures included global marketing chief DJ Lee, the source said, confirming earlier media reports. Samsung Electronics declined to say if any executives were leaving the company as it announced its annual reshuffle for executive-level staff. But the announcement showed Samsung had made 165 executive-level promotions, the lowest number in at least four years, underscoring the strains the South Korean company is under.