Visits from Political and Business Leaders Continue at Chairman Lee Kun-hee's Funeral Hall
On the afternoon of the 26th, many mourners entered the funeral hall at Seoul Samsung Hospital, where the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee's wake was held. Photo by Joint Press Corps
[Asia Economy Reporters Dongwoo Lee, Gimin Lee, Changhwan Lee] On the second day of the funeral for Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee on the 26th, the funeral hall set up at Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, has been continuously visited by political and business figures.
Visits to the funeral hall have been nonstop from politicians, business leaders, heads of various organizations, and CEOs.
Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, visited the funeral hall in the evening and said, "The deceased led the execution of entrepreneurial spirit and innovative management for the development of the Korean economy." He recalled Chairman Lee as "someone who early on implemented a global superhuman strategy and achieved results."
He added, "I believe the corporate management strategies and achievements that the deceased pursued during his lifetime will serve as a great stepping stone for the Korean economy to leap forward as a global superhuman leading country," expressing his condolences.
Around the same time, Cho Sung-wook, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, who visited the funeral hall, said, "Rather than a personal connection, I came because he was a symbolic figure in the growth of our Korean economy and the business community."
Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the National Climate and Environment Council, is leaving after paying his respects at the funeral hall set up for the late Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Group, at Seoul Samsung Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Earlier in the afternoon, Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the National Climate and Environment Council, who visited the funeral hall, stated that during his time as UN Secretary-General, he felt the elevation of national prestige because Samsung existed.
He said, "The deceased developed Samsung into a world-class company with a high insight into the future and a bold spirit of challenge under the banner of innovation." He emphasized, "While engaging in international activities, I always associate Samsung with Korea and Korea with Samsung, which has greatly enhanced our national prestige. We consider this a great source of pride."
Ban expressed condolences to the bereaved family, saying, "It is regrettable that such a great star has passed away at a time when everyone is struggling due to COVID-19." He also introduced his connection with Chairman Lee during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics bid, saying, "Chairman Lee was very active as an IOC member at the time, and many IOC members listened and contributed greatly. I am grateful for that."
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is entering the funeral hall at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the late Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Group, is lying in state on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, "He left truly remarkable achievements as a second-generation business leader." He added, "I think it is no exaggeration to call him the second founder of the global top-tier Samsung."
He continued, "He elevated the status of the Korean economy through semiconductors and various products, and contributed significantly to creating national wealth and many jobs." He expressed condolences and gratitude for his achievements.
Prime Minister Chung said, "Chairman Lee's decisiveness and drive created today's global top-tier company Samsung," adding, "That is why the semiconductor myth was possible. I believe so."
Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving after paying his respects at the funeral hall of the late Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Group, set up at Seoul Samsung Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "The deceased raised the nation's status and people's pride through innovative leadership," and added, "I hope Samsung will leap forward even more."
Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, also visited the funeral hall and said Chairman Lee made a great contribution to raising Korea's status in the international community. Kim said, "I met him often when I was economic secretary," emphasizing, "Since the 1990s, looking at our country's industries overall, he made Samsung Electronics' semiconductors and smartphones into world-class brands with remarkable achievements."
Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party (third from the left), is entering the funeral hall at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the late Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Group, is being mourned on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "He is someone who makes us proud to be Korean." Joo added, "Personally, I have no close ties, but I know that the deceased was born in Daegu and I have visited Samsung Sanghoe a few times. He is someone who, through creative and innovative management, practically re-founded Samsung Group and made all Koreans proud worldwide, so I came to pay my respects."
Kim Hwang-sik, former Prime Minister and currently chairman of both the Samsung Ho-Am Foundation and Samsung Culture Foundation, said, "I worked with Chairman Lee during the Pyeongchang Olympics bid as Prime Minister," adding, "He gave the people pride through his great achievements." Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, Turkish Ambassador Ersin Er?in, and U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris also visited the funeral hall to express condolences from their respective governments.
Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (center), is entering the funeral hall at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the late Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Group, is lying in state on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Visits from business leaders continued.
Son Kyung-sik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, visited the funeral hall in the afternoon and told the bereaved family, "I asked them to lead Samsung well." When asked about his connection with the late Chairman Lee, Son replied, "I worked at Samsung, so we knew each other well." He recalled, "He was a thoughtful person who made successful decisions based on thorough background considerations."
Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, visited the funeral hall and said, "I think he was the first and largest person to create a global company in Korea," adding, "Losing such a person is a great loss for Korea." Choi expressed personal sorrow and grief. Regarding his connection with Chairman Lee, he recalled, "We traveled abroad together, and I received much guidance from him." He briefly expressed confidence in Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's new Samsung, saying, "I believe he will do well."
Kim Seung-yeon, Chairman of Hanwha Group, is entering the funeral hall set up at Seoul Samsung Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th to pay respects at the late Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Group./Photo by Joint Press Corps
Kim Seung-yeon, chairman of Hanwha Group, who visited around 4 p.m., said, "I treated Chairman Lee like an older brother," adding, "I just came to offer my condolences." Following him, Chung Mong-joon, director, briefly responded, "It is sad."
Jung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, also visited the funeral hall in the morning to express his condolences. Jung said, "It is regrettable that a great person has passed away," and added, "I am grateful that he instilled a strong spirit of being number one in all sectors of our country's economy."
Jung also expressed positive expectations about changes in Samsung Group under the 'Lee Jae-yong regime.' He said, "I expect there will be significant positive changes in various ways." Recalling memories with Chairman Lee, he said, "I always remember how warmly he treated me."
Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (second from left), and Gong Young-woon, President of Hyundai Motor's Power Planning Division (right), are leaving after paying their respects at the funeral hall of the late Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Group, set up at Seoul Samsung Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Seo Jung-jin, chairman of Celltrion, recalled, "Chairman Lee can be called the founder who made Samsung a truly global company." Seo expressed his feelings to reporters in front of the funeral hall in the evening, saying, "It feels empty and complicated as the greatest elder of our country's economy has passed away." Seo added, "I started my first job at Samsung, and when I was a new employee, I often saw Chairman Lee from afar when he was vice chairman."
Seo continued, "Although Chairman Lee was a second-generation business leader, he actually made Samsung a truly global company, so he can be called a founder. He gave many messages to younger entrepreneurs." Seo conveyed to Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, "Samsung's economic share in our country is absolute, and because Samsung must develop and grow further, I believe the bereaved family and employees will do well, so I have high expectations."
Cho Won-tae, chairman of Hanjin Group, said, "I feel complicated after losing a great person." When asked by reporters about his connection with Chairman Lee as he left the funeral hall, Cho replied, "I have never actually met him." He added that he only briefly greeted the bereaved family at the funeral hall. When asked about Samsung's future, Cho said, "I think they just need to continue as they have been."
On the previous day, visitors included Lee Jae-hyun, chairman of CJ Group and nephew of Chairman Lee, Chung Mong-yoon, chairman of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, Chung Mong-kyu, chairman of HDC, and Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province. President Moon Jae-in also sent Chief Secretary Noh Young-min and Economic Secretary Lee Ho-seung to express condolences.
Chairman Lee's funeral will be held over four days, with the cremation scheduled for the morning of the 28th. The burial site has not yet been confirmed.
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