More than 221 senior executives have been promoted – the most since 227 in 2013. It seems to be part of the ritual at Samsung, if something bad happens you promote people.

After chairman Lee Kun-hee's heart attack, 165 executives were promoted in 2014 and only 135 were promoted in 2015. Last year's reshuffle was delayed to May this year and only 96 were promoted due to the national bribery scandal involving heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong.

Nearly half of the promoted executives - 99 - are from the semiconductor business, which has helped the firm reach record profits this year.

Samsung CEO Kwon Oh-hyun announced his retirement last month. The firm replaced heads of businesses in what was considered a long-awaited shake-up to inject younger leaders into the company's management.

The reshuffle is a preamble to a later announcement of organisational change, which will likely come within the month. It will be of keen interest to see what the conglomerate will focus on next year.