Former chairman of Samsung Group Lee Kun-hee returned to his post almost two years after he resigned due to a tax evasion scandal.

Samsung management explained Lee’s reinstatement, saying, “In order to preemptively seize global business opportunities in a situation where uncertainty is deepening in the global economy, we determined that Mr. Lee’s experience and leadership are necessary.”

Many analysts said Lee’s return was just a question of time after he received a special amnesty from President Lee Myung-bak in December 2009, ostensibly to help him lead South Korea’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics, for Lee is a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Besides, since Lee is widely seen as the driving force behind Samsung’s rise to global prominence and is one of South Korea’s most recognizable businessmen, business groups welcomed his return and Samsung’s shares rose 1.2 percent to 819,000 Won in a flat market.

“I think it’s a good decision for him to come back to the business because he is the leader of that business and he has been the person to pull Samsung up (to where it is) today,” Park Yongmaan, CEO of Doosan Corp., South Korea’s oldest conglomerate, told the Associated Press. “Samsung is a global company and it certainly has to have management stability.”

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet