Seo Jung-jin, Chairman of Celltrion, "Chairman Lee Kun-hee, the Second Founder Who Made Samsung a Global Company"

Seo Jung-jin, Chairman of Celltrion, is returning home after paying his respects at the funeral hall set up for Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, at around 7:38 p.m. on the 26th.
Photo by Ki-min Lee victor.lee@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Seo Jung-jin, chairman of Celltrion, visited the funeral hall of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee and recalled, "Chairman Lee can be said to be the founder who made Samsung a truly global company."

At around 7:38 p.m. that day, Seo told reporters he met at the funeral hall set up at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, "It feels empty and bittersweet as the greatest elder of our country's business community has passed away."

Seo continued, "I started my first job at Samsung," and recalled, "When I was a new employee, I often saw Chairman Lee, who was vice chairman at the time, from a distance."

He added, "Although Chairman Lee was a second-generation manager, he actually made Samsung a truly global company, so he can be considered a founder," and said, "He gave many messages to younger entrepreneurs."

Seo conveyed to Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, "Samsung's economic share in our country is absolute, and because Samsung needs to develop and grow further, I believe the bereaved family and employees will do well, so I have high expectations."