Samsung Electronics Chairman, Kun-hee Lee Dies At 78
Samsung Electronics chairman Kun-hee Lee, who transformed the South Korean firm into a global tech titan, has died at the age of 78 on Sunday, October 25, the company announced.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kun-hee Lee, Chairman of Samsung Electronics,” the company said in a statement.
“Chairman Lee passed away on October 25 with his family, including Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee, by his side.
“Chairman Lee was a true visionary who transformed Samsung into the world-leading innovator and industrial powerhouse from a local business,” the firm said, adding: “His legacy will be everlasting.”
Under Lee’s leadership, Samsung rose to become the world’s largest producer of smartphones and memory chips, and the firm’s overall turnover today is equivalent to a fifth of South Korea’s GDP.
Samsung’s meteoric rise helped make Lee South Korea’s richest and most powerful industrialist.
He was married to Hong Ra-hee, whose father was a justice minister with whom he had a son and three daughters.
