DHAKA: The chairman of Samsung Electronics is in a ‘stable condition’ after undergoing emergency heart surgery.

The Samsung Medical Center says, reports the BBC.

Lee Kun-hee underwent the operation after suffering breathing difficulties late on Saturday night.

The hospital said he was ‘now recuperating in a stable condition after undergoing an operation’.

Lee took over as chairman of South Korea’s biggest business in 1987 after his father’s death.

He is credited with turning the company into an international force in the technology market. It has overtaken Apple as the world’s largest smartphone maker.

Lee stood down as chairman in 2008 after being charged with tax evasion.

He was convicted on the tax charges, but was given a presidential pardon in 2009 and returned to lead Samsung in 2010.

BDST: 2058 HRS, MAY 11, 2014