Samsung boss stable after heart attack

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee is in stable condition after suffering a heart attack, Samsung Group said.

Lee, 72, underwent surgery for an acute myocardial infarction early Sunday morning at Samsung Medical Center, after being resuscitated and stabilised on Saturday night at Soonchunhyang University Hospital, according to a statement emailed from Samsung Group spokeswoman Rhee So Eui, citing the medical centre. Lee, treated for lung cancer in 2000 and hospitalised last August for a cold, was taken for treatment after he experienced difficulty in breathing around 11 pm.

The Supreme Court in India on April 2 ordered Lee Kun-hee to appear in six weeks before a Ghaziabad trial court, in a case where a subsidiary is accused of failing to pay $1.4 million to one of its suppliers. The court has said Lee might seek bail or exemption from appearance "in accordance with law".

Following the Supreme Court order, South Korea was reported to be considering invoking provisions under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement against India for the hit on Samsung Electronics' investments.

After the six-week period, the police will have orders to arrest Lee if he enters India, the court said. The court has charged Lee with cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy.