KOREA WHO
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Chairman of Samsung Electronics
Lee Jae-yong
New Samsung Drive Gains Speed as Chip Market Recovers
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Last Updated on Feb 3, 2026
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Chairman of Samsung Electronics
Copy Url : https://www.koreawho.com/profile/LeeJaeyong- Life Summary
Lee Jae-yong is the Chairman of Samsung Electronics.
He was born in Seoul on June 23, 1968, as the eldest son among one son and three daughters of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee.
He graduated from Gyeongbok High School in Seoul and the Department of Oriental History at Seoul National University.
He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Keio University Graduate School of Business in Japan and completed the doctoral program in business administration at Harvard Business School in the United States.
He joined Samsung Electronics as a general affairs group manager and went on to serve as Executive Vice President in charge of management strategy at the Corporate Planning Team, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Vice President and President, and Vice Chairman.
In 2014, when the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee collapsed from acute myocardial infarction and was hospitalized, he effectively led the Samsung Group as Vice Chairman. After Chairman Lee Kun-hee passed away in 2020, he inherited management control.
He was implicated in the Park Geun-hye–Choi Soon-sil (Choi Seo-won) state affairs scandal, was sentenced to prison, served time, and was later released on parole.
After being pardoned in a special Liberation Day amnesty in 2022, he was inaugurated as Chairman of Samsung Electronics.
In connection with accounting fraud allegations at Samsung Biologics that arose during the merger process between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, he was found not guilty by the Supreme Court in July 2025, fully removing legal risks.
As the semiconductor industry cycle improves, he is accelerating efforts to strengthen technological leadership and secure future growth engines to realize the “New Samsung” vision.
He places importance on rationality and practicality in decision-making.
Known for his modest personality, he demonstrates strong affinity and communication skills.
He has publicly stated that he will not pass management control on to his children.
#LeeJaeYong #SamsungElectronics #SamsungGroup #Koreabusiness #chaebol #semiconductor #NewSamsung #corporategovernance #businessleadership #technologystrategy
He was born in Seoul on June 23, 1968, as the eldest son among one son and three daughters of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee.
He graduated from Gyeongbok High School in Seoul and the Department of Oriental History at Seoul National University.
He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Keio University Graduate School of Business in Japan and completed the doctoral program in business administration at Harvard Business School in the United States.
He joined Samsung Electronics as a general affairs group manager and went on to serve as Executive Vice President in charge of management strategy at the Corporate Planning Team, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Vice President and President, and Vice Chairman.
In 2014, when the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee collapsed from acute myocardial infarction and was hospitalized, he effectively led the Samsung Group as Vice Chairman. After Chairman Lee Kun-hee passed away in 2020, he inherited management control.
He was implicated in the Park Geun-hye–Choi Soon-sil (Choi Seo-won) state affairs scandal, was sentenced to prison, served time, and was later released on parole.
After being pardoned in a special Liberation Day amnesty in 2022, he was inaugurated as Chairman of Samsung Electronics.
In connection with accounting fraud allegations at Samsung Biologics that arose during the merger process between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, he was found not guilty by the Supreme Court in July 2025, fully removing legal risks.
As the semiconductor industry cycle improves, he is accelerating efforts to strengthen technological leadership and secure future growth engines to realize the “New Samsung” vision.
He places importance on rationality and practicality in decision-making.
Known for his modest personality, he demonstrates strong affinity and communication skills.
He has publicly stated that he will not pass management control on to his children.
#LeeJaeYong #SamsungElectronics #SamsungGroup #Koreabusiness #chaebol #semiconductor #NewSamsung #corporategovernance #businessleadership #technologystrategy
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- Life Summary
- Vision and Goals
- Market and Social Evaluation
- Notable Incidents & Legal Affairs
- - Controversy Over Revival of Samsung’s Future Strategy Office
- - Supreme Court Confirms Acquittal in Merger, Accounting Case
- - Samsung Bio Spinoff Raises Governance Reshuffle Possibility
- - Samsung C&T Wins Appeal Over Elliott Delay Interest Claim
- - HBM Misstep Controversy
- - Semiconductor Special Act Fails This Year, Union Slams 52-Hour Exception
- - National Pension Begins Lawsuit Over Samsung Merger
- - Samsung Electronics Union Slams Lee as “Figurehead Chairman”
- - Korean Government Faces Massive Payout Over Samsung Merger
- - Egg Thrown During Court Appearance
- - Paroled While Serving Sentence for Bribery
- - Hospitalized for Appendicitis While Incarcerated
- - Indicted in 2020 Over Samsung Merger Charges
- - Convicted of Union Busting, Apologizes and Ends No-Union Policy
- - Resolution of Semiconductor Occupational Disease Dispute
- - Detained in 2017 State Affairs Scandal
- - Dissolution of Samsung’s Future Strategy Office
- - Apology Over MERS Response Failure
- - 2008 Samsung Special Prosecutor Investigation
- Professional Timeline
- Educational Background
- Family & Personal Connections
- Awards & Recognitions
- Additional Information
- Notable Quotations
- Infographic & Photos