Ban Ki-moon "Felt National Prestige Rise with Samsung During UN Secretary-General Tenure"

Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the National Climate and Environment Council, is answering questions from reporters after paying his respects at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, was laid to rest on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the National Climate and Environment Council, visited the funeral hall of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee on the 26th and said that during his time as UN Secretary-General, he felt that the national prestige was elevated because Samsung existed.

Chairman Ban visited the funeral hall at Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where Chairman Lee's funeral was held, and said, "The late chairman developed Samsung into a world-class company with a bold spirit of challenge under the banner of foresight and innovation."

He added, "While engaging in international activities, whenever I think of Samsung, I associate it with Korea, and when I think of Korea, I associate it with Samsung, which has greatly enhanced our national prestige. We consider this a great source of pride."

Chairman Ban comforted the bereaved family, saying, "It is regrettable that a great star has passed away at a time when everyone is struggling due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)."

He also introduced his connection with Chairman Lee during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics bid, saying, "Chairman Lee, as an IOC member at the time, was very active in the bid, and many IOC members listened and contributed a lot, for which I am grateful."

Furthermore, to Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, he said, "I asked him to overcome the difficult times ahead and become a pillar for the development of our economy and society."