Samsung Fetes Chief's 25-year Leadership

Korea's biggest family-owned conglomerate Samsung on Friday celebrated the leadership of chairman Lee Kun-hee, who has spearheaded the group's growth since taking the post 25 years ago.

The ceremony, the first to be held since Lee took over the company from his late father Lee Byung-chull in 1987, comes as Samsung is aggressively building up its global presence on the back of its crown jewel Samsung Electronics Co.

In the first quarter, the technology unit emerged as the world's biggest mobile phone and smartphone maker, outstripping global handset giants such as Nokia Corp. and Apple Inc.

In a video message to employees, Lee thanked them for taking part in his plan to renovate the group and urged further efforts to move forward.

"We still have a long way to go. We...