The South Korean electronics manufacturer LG is closing its loss-making mobile phone business.

The board of directors approved the move on Monday, LG Electronics said in a statement.

The shutdown of LG’s mobile phone sector is expected to be completed by the end of July.

“LG’s strategic decision to exit the incredibly competitive mobile phone sector will enable the company to focus resources in growth areas such as electric vehicle components, connected devices, smart homes, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

“It will also focus on business-to-business solutions as well as platforms and services,” the statement added.

LG wants to “continue to leverage its mobile expertise and develop mobility-related technologies such as 6G to help further strengthen competitiveness in other business areas.”

Core technologies developed during the two decades of LG’s mobile business operations would be retained and applied to existing and future products, the company said.

LG’s withdrawal from the smartphone business had been on the horizon for some time. The division has shown an operating loss for years.

(dpa/NAN)