LEE KUN HEE
Samsung Electronics Co. chairman LEE KUN HEE passed away in Seoul on Sunday at the age of 78.
The president had already had a health problem in May 2014, a heart attack, which had earned him hospitalization. After receiving medical treatment, the president was stable but not fully recovered. Since 1990 when he had lung surgery, the president had to reside abroad during the winter season to prevent any lung disease.
The big question that arises since today, who will succeed LEE KUN HEE to lead this economic empire. LEE KUN HEE had inherited SAMSUNG himself following the death of his father LEE BYUNG CHULL. Currently, he leaves behind his wife HONG RA HEE, his son JAE YONG who is the vice president of SAMSUNG, and his two daughters BOO JIN who runs the hotel part of SAMSUNG, Hotel Shilla Co. and SEO HYUN who manages Samsung Welfare Foundation.
If the late president was able to advance SAMSUNG to become one of the three pillars of the Korean economy, his course has not been white. He was indeed appointed member of the Olympic committee and took part in the campaign for the organization of the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. I was also decorated by France with the Legion of Honor. But in 2008 he was indicted for managing slush funds within the group and subsequently he was found guilty of tax evasion. His convictions will be erased thanks to a presidential pardon in 2009.
Back to the presidency, in 2010 SAMSUNG will present its first Galaxy S smartphone.
The succession should normally go smoothly by handing over the queens of the conglomerate to the eldest son LEE JAE YONG who has already been recognized as responsible for it since 2018 by the fair trade monitoring body.
However, the heir is also involved in cases and trials including some related to the dismissal of former president Park Geun Hye. Will the inheritance be really smooth?
Discussions will therefore take place as to this succession, both economically and politically.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Yonhap
