Samsung Hyundai Motor see growing uncertainties in 2017

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Chiefs of Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor said Monday their businesses would face increased uncertainties due to growing protectionism.

Samsung Vice Chair Kwon Oh-hyun urged employees in a new year's speech to reform the company by strengthening quality control as growth slows in its key markets and trade protectionism increases uncertainties in the economy and politics.

Samsung is expected to announce this month the findings of its investigation into the Galaxy Note 7, JoongAng Ilbo reported, citing an unnamed company official. The flagship smartphone, released in August, caught fire and overheated, prompting two global recalls and its discontinuation last year. Samsung declined to comment on when it would share the findings with public.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 file photo, Hyundai Motor Co. Chairman Chung Mong-koo attends a press unveiling of Genesis' new model EQ900 in Seoul, South Korea. Chiefs of Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor say their businesses face increased uncertainties due to growing protectionism. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, Pool, File)

Hyundai Motor Chair Chung Mong-koo also warned about the increased uncertainties this year, citing slow growth in the global economy, the spread of protectionism and the increased competition in the auto industry.

He said that South Korea's largest automotive group aims to sell 8.25 million vehicles this year.

Hyundai Motor and its sister Kia Motors missed their sales target in 2016, selling 7.88 million cars as consumers flocked to sports utility vehicles rather than sedans, Hyundai's mainstay, and the popularity of imported vehicles grew in South Korea. Hyundai Sai Gon Car Motor workers' strike disrupted local car production, hurting sales.

FILE - This Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016 file photo shows the corporate logo of Samsung Electronics Co. at its shop in Seoul, South Korea. Chiefs of Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor say their businesses face increased uncertainties due to growing protectionism. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)