Kakao's Kim Beom-su: "What I Learned at Samsung Continues at Naver and Kakao"

Kim Beom-su, Chairman of the Kakao Board of Directors, paid a condolence visit to the funeral hall of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] Kim Beom-su, chairman of Kakao, visited the funeral hall of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee to pay his respects. Chairman Kim is a former Samsung SDS recruit and is known as a 'Samsung Kid.'

On the night of the 27th, around 9 PM, Chairman Kim visited the funeral hall at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the late chairman's funeral was held. When asked about his feelings by reporters, he said, "Samsung was my first and last workplace," adding, "What I learned at Samsung has been directly carried over to Hangame, Naver, and Kakao."

He continued, "I was present when Samsung made the 'Frankfurt' declaration in Germany, and I believe the late chairman's management philosophy has deeply influenced me," adding, "Since then, Samsung Kids like Lee Hae-jin, Naver's Global Investment Officer (GIO), who joined at the same time as me, have achieved new businesses in Korea, and Naver and Kakao alumni continue to build new ventures."

Regarding the bereaved family, including Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Chairman Kim said, "I was not personally acquainted with them during my time at Samsung," and added, "I pray for the late chairman's peaceful rest."

Samsung SDS, an ICT affiliate of Samsung Group, is known in the industry as a 'venture academy' for producing outstanding talents. During his time at Samsung SDS, Chairman Kim planned and developed the PC communication service Unitel. After leaving Samsung, he founded Hangame Communications. Naver's GIO Lee is also a Samsung SDS alumnus and joined the company at the same time as Chairman Kim. He also started as an in-house venture and created today's Naver.