Samsung mobile chief denies BlackBerry acquisition rumor

Samsung Electronics’ mobile business unit chief Shin Jong-kyun officially denied the rumors of Samsung’s takeover plan of Canadian smartphone-maker Blackberry.

“The recent reports of the BlackBerry takeover are false,” said Shin at the annual Samsung Group dinner gathering at Hotel Shilla in Seoul on Monday.

Despite Samsung’s denial of the takeover rumors, some news outlets have continued to report that Samsung is in talks with BlackBerry over an acquisition deal.

Shin’s remark at the dinner event with Samsung’s top executives seems to confirm that Samsung is not willing to buy the struggling device-maker.

He added that the atmosphere of the gathering was joyful, as Samsung vice chairman and heir apparent Lee Jay-yong greeted the sitting and newly promoted executives.

Meanwhile, Samsung vice president Lee is said to have encouraged the executives at the Monday gathering to make bold attempts to weather difficulties expected this year due to heated competition.

“The year 2014 was not easy for Samsung, but we were able to achieve good results thanks to your efforts. Let’s try our best to do well this year, too,” said Lee at the gathering, making the last toast of the Monday event.

For the participants of the dinner event, mostly the Samsung executives and their spouses, Samsung gave away bouquets and a pair of wrist watches with chairman Lee Kun-hee’s name inscribed on the back.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)