Three senior executives at Samsung Electronics Co. visited their imprisoned chief Jay Y. Lee on Saturday as South Korea’s biggest conglomerate grapples with the challenge of operating in an extended leadership vacuum.

Among the visitors was Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun, who is in charge of semiconductors and displays and chairman of the board. He was also joined by Yoon Boo-keun, head of the consumer electronics division, and Chief Financial Officer Lee Sang-hoon.

The visit was more to offer support to the jailed chief rather than to discuss business, according to company insiders.

But the visit by the cadre of executives immediately spurred speculation that Samsung Electronics has already embarked on the process to run its business under the leadership of professional managers who will closely consult with imprisoned Lee amid growing uncertainties following the five-year jail sentence for the 49-year-old heir.

The Seoul District Central Court ruled on Friday that Lee had paid bribes to the impeached former President Park Geun-hye in return for support of his succession at the family-run conglomerate. Lee’s lawyers have filed an appeal.

The Saturday visit was followed by Kwon’s internal message to Samsung Electronics’ employees on Monday, in which he urged everyone “not to waver during these uncertain times until the truth is revealed.”

The longer-than-expected leadership vacuum has prompted some to call for a shift in Samsung’s corporate governance. Under Korea’s conglomerate structure, owner families make the key management decisions, including investment plans for large projects, mergers and acquisitions, and cooperation among affiliates. But with Lee in jail, these decisions could be stalled, which may increase business risks in the longer term.

Ratings agencies S&P and Fitch maintained their credit ratings on Samsung Electronics despite last week’s court ruling but noted that continued leadership deficiency could cause delays in key strategic decisions and undermine the company’s position.

Some sources predict the firm will bulk up the executive level at year end in efforts to fill the void.

As of 1:25 p.m., shares of Samsung Electronics were 0.56 percent lower at 2,292,000 won ($2,037).

By Song Sung-hoon

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