Large Turnout from Samsung and Daesang Families
Full Support for the Eldest Son's Decision
Lim Seryeong, Vice Chairwoman of Daesang Holdings, drew significant attention when she appeared at the commissioning ceremony of her son, Lee Jiho (25), the eldest son of the Samsung family and newly commissioned Navy Second Lieutenant. This was the first time in about 15 years that she stood side by side at a public event with her former husband, Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics.
Im Seryeong, Vice Chairman of Daesang Holdings, is moving to greet her eldest son Lee Jiho at the 139th Navy and Marine Corps Officer Candidate Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony held on the 28th at the Naval Academy in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 28th, the Navy held the graduation and commissioning ceremony for the 139th class of officer candidates at the parade ground of the Naval Academy in Jinhae, Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do. At the event, attended by about 1,300 people, a total of 89 new officers, including 75 from the Navy and 14 from the Marine Corps, began their military careers. Second Lieutenant Lee Jiho also officially started his service on this day.
Vice Chairwoman Lim Seryeong and others encouraged her son, newly commissioned Second Lieutenant Lee Jiho, at the graduation and commissioning ceremony for the 139th Navy and Marine Corps Officer Candidates held on the afternoon of the 28th at the Naval Academy parade ground in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. Photo by Yonhap News
At the ceremony, Second Lieutenant Lee Jiho served as the flag bearer, leading the parade. Wearing a headset microphone and standing at the center front, he gave clear commands and led his fellow officers, drawing attention. He shared his thoughts, saying, "I gained the confidence that I can accomplish anything, no matter the circumstances."
The person who attracted the most attention at the event was, without a doubt, his mother, Vice Chairwoman Lim Seryeong. She sat in the family section to witness her son's commissioning moment and, after the ceremony, embraced Second Lieutenant Lee Jiho to congratulate him. Since her divorce from Chairman Lee Jae-yong in 2009, this was the first time the two were seen together at an official event.
On the afternoon of the 28th, at the parade ground of the Naval Academy in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam Province, during the 139th Naval and Marine Corps Officer Candidate Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Hong Ra-hee, Honorary Director of the Leeum Museum of Art, are taking a commemorative photo with newly commissioned Second Lieutenant Lee Jiho. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Chairman Lee Jae-yong also attended the ceremony and, together with Hong Ra-hee, Honorary Director of the Leeum Museum of Art, personally pinned the rank insignia on his son. Standing before the two, Second Lieutenant Lee Jiho shouted "Victory!" to mark his new beginning, and Chairman Lee briefly encouraged him, saying, "Well done." Afterward, he met separately with Vice Chairwoman Lim and shared a congratulatory embrace.
Second Lieutenant Lee Jiho is attending the '139th Naval Officer Candidate Commissioning Ceremony' held on the 28th at the Naval Academy in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam Province, saluting. Photo by Yonhap News
Many relatives from both families were also present that day. The event was attended by Honorary Director Hong Ra-hee, Lee Seo-hyun, President of Samsung C&T, Park Hyun-joo, Vice Chairwoman of Sangam Communications and mother of Vice Chairwoman Lim, as well as Im Sang-min, Vice President of Daesang and Lim's aunt, making it a full family gathering. The business community commented, "Since he gave up his U.S. citizenship to pursue a military officer's path, this reflects the family's wholehearted support."
Second Lieutenant Lee Jiho, who was born in the United States and held dual citizenship, renounced his U.S. citizenship in accordance with the requirements for commissioning as an officer and enlisted as a Navy officer candidate in September. After completing three weeks of basic military training, he will serve for a total of 39 months as an interpretation officer.
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