[Comprehensive] "A Pioneer Who Raised National Pride" Political Circles Jointly Mourn the Passing of Lee Kun-hee

Lee Nak-yeon "New Management, Creative Management, Talent Management... Innovative Leadership at Every Turning Point"
Joo Ho-young "Establishing South Korea's Status in the World... Future Generations Will Remember"

Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee passed away on the 25th at Samsung Medical Center in Irwon-dong, Seoul. He was 78 years old. Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Lee Kun-hee (78), Chairman of Samsung Group, passed away on the 25th, prompting an outpouring of condolence messages from the political sphere.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook on the same day, expressing "deep condolences" on the news of Chairman Lee's passing. He evaluated, "Through New Management, Creative Management, and Talent Management, the late chairman led changes with innovative leadership at critical moments. As a result, Samsung has risen to become a global leader in home appliances, semiconductors, and mobile phones."

Lee added, "The late chairman's various sayings, such as 'Think a little and look at the world,' created a vibrant and creative corporate culture. He also gave our society a chance for reflective contemplation." However, he also acknowledged, "It cannot be denied that the late chairman had negative impacts, such as strengthening the conglomerate-centered economic structure and not recognizing labor unions," and said, "He also left shadows such as opaque governance structures, tax evasion, and collusion between politics and business."

Photo by Lee Nak-yeon, captured from the Facebook page of the Democratic Party of Korea leader

After Chairman Lee's passing, Lee Nak-yeon urged Samsung to become a new company free from collusion between politics and business. He said, "The late chairman's innovative leadership and indomitable spirit of challenge are worthy of emulation in any era and field," but added, "I hope Samsung breaks away from the wrong chains of the past and is reborn anew." He concluded, "Reflecting calmly on the light and shadow of the late chairman, I offer my sincere condolences."

Heo Young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a commentary, "Chairman Lee led Samsung's global leap and laid the cornerstone for the growth of the Korean economy. He was the most successful entrepreneur in Korea and received brilliant spotlight." He continued, "As Chairman Lee said, Samsung aspired to be a top-tier company, but the process was sometimes extralegal," adding, "The negative legacies he left, such as work allocation for succession of management rights, unfair internal transactions, collusion between politics and business, and no-labor-union management, are generational tasks our society must resolve."

He further said, "With the passing of Chairman Lee, I hope the 'New Samsung' promised by Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong in his recent public apology will be realized soon."

Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Group and a representative figure of Korean business circles, passed away on the 25th at Samsung Medical Center in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. He was 78 years old. This is six years after he collapsed at his home in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in May 2014 due to acute myocardial infarction. The photo shows Chairman Lee Kun-hee attending the highest-level political and business seminar in 1988. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Park Yong-jin, a member of the same party, expressed on his Facebook, "The first and second-generation business leaders who were founders and cornerstones representing our economy, including the late chairman, are exiting history, marking the completion of generational change in conglomerates and large corporations leading the Korean economy."

Park emphasized, "What is clear is that the corporate culture and economic order shown by early business leaders during the authoritarian era have now become outdated."

He added, "As a leading country in the global economy, South Korea must break away from the old authoritarian-style corporate culture stained with cheating, privileges, and illegality. Companies can no longer grow in such ways, nor can they win against global competitors."

Yang Hyang-ja, a Supreme Council member, wrote on her Facebook, "Chairman Lee Kun-hee has passed away. I extend my condolences to his family," and recalled, "Since his inauguration as chairman in 1987, he often visited the Giheung semiconductor plant to encourage employees."

She continued, "He called the semiconductor business a 'conscience industry' and instilled a sense of mission in each employee by saying, 'The fate of the nation depends on your hands.'" She also noted, "He opened the way for employees who wanted to pursue studies alongside work by boldly introducing the 7.4 system and established an in-house university to nurture talent. I will not forget his intentions," paying tribute to the late chairman.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the National Assembly's audit countermeasure meeting held on the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Joo Ho-young: "The Corporate History of Chairman Lee Kun-hee Will Be Remembered by Future Generations"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated in a position paper titled "Praying for the repose of Chairman Lee Kun-hee, a Giant of the Korean Economy," "The corporate history of Lee Kun-hee, who raised Samsung and South Korea's status high in the world, will be remembered by future generations. I pray for the true rest of the late chairman, who lived every moment to the fullest."

Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in an oral statement, "He laid the foundation for Samsung to become the world's number one global company. He was a pioneer who raised the pride of the people," and expressed condolences for the late Lee Kun-hee. He also extended sincere condolences to the bereaved family and Samsung employees.

Bae evaluated, "The late chairman's bone-cutting efforts for a world-class company and his innovation mindset of 'Change everything except your wife and children' were exemplary across all fields. His affection and philosophy for nurturing future-leading talent remain a textbook for talent development."

He added, "So that the late chairman's will is not in vain, we all must prepare for the future through innovation and effort. Once again, I pray that the late Lee Kun-hee rests in peace."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min wrote on his Facebook, "The late chairman raised Samsung to become the world's top company in semiconductors, mobile phones, and home appliances over nearly 30 years, created numerous jobs, and led economic growth, greatly contributing to the development of our economy." He also said, "I mourn the death of an entrepreneur who wrote a page in Korean economic history and offer my sincere condolences."

Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee passed away on the 25th at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. He was 78 years old. This is six years after he collapsed at his home in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in May 2014 due to acute myocardial infarction. The photo shows Chairman Lee Kun-hee attending the Overseas Business Promotion Committee in 1978. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Justice Party: "No-Labor-Union Management Left a Dark History... Hope Samsung Becomes a Company Among the People"

Jung Ho-jin, chief spokesperson for the Justice Party, said in a commentary, "He left a dark history in Korean society. I express my condolences," and evaluated, "Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee left a dark history in Korean society through extralegal management such as collusion between politics and business and no-labor-union management. That shadow has continued to Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong." He urged, "Now, I hope Samsung erases the shadow of that dark history and becomes a company among the people, committed to reforming conglomerates."

◆ People Party: "The Late Chairman's Spirit of Challenge and Innovation Should Be Emulated by All of Us"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, said in a statement on the 25th, "The late chairman's prophetic sense and spirit of challenge and innovation should be emulated by all of us," and mourned, "I pray for the repose of Lee Kun-hee, a great star of the Korean economy."

Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People Party, released a commentary saying, "A great star of the economy has fallen. The late chairman's achievements in contributing to the Korean economy during his lifetime were by no means small," and extended condolences to the bereaved family, wishing him to rest in peace.

Chairman Lee passed away on the morning of the 25th at Seoul Samsung Hospital in Irwon-dong, Seoul, at the age of 78. Previously, he had been battling illness for six years and five months after collapsing from acute myocardial infarction at his home in Itaewon-dong, Seoul, in May 2014.

Samsung announced the news of Chairman Lee's death on the same day, stating, "In accordance with the wishes of the deceased and the bereaved family, the funeral will be held simply as a family funeral." The bereaved family includes his wife Hong Ra-hee, former director of the Leeum Museum of Art; son Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics; daughter Lee Boo-jin, President of Hotel Shilla; Lee Seo-hyun, Chairwoman of Samsung Welfare Foundation; and son-in-law Kim Jae-yeol, President of Samsung Economic Research Institute.