Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Business, political moguls mourn death of Samsung Group chief
Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun arrives for the funeral of Lee Kun-hee at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
A day after Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee passed away on Sunday, leaders from political and business circles attended the memorial altar to pay their respects to the deceased in recognition of the indelible stamp he has left on Korean industry.
The late chairman's funeral was held at 9 a.m. at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul where a memorial altar was set up. Also in attendance were his widow Hong Ra-hee, son Jae-yong, the vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, and daughters Boo-jin, CEO of Hotel Shilla, and Seo-hyun, chairwoman of Samsung Welfare Foundation.
Former and incumbent Samsung Group executives were the first to pay their respects. The group of executives include Chang Choong-ki, former deputy head of the now-defunct Future Strategy Office, Kim Ki-nam, vice chairman and chief of Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions Division, and ex-Samsung Electronics CEO Kwon Oh-hyun.
Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, was the first to arrive among those representing the country's other top conglomerates. The leaders paid their respects at the altar and expressed their condolence messages and hopes that Lee's son Jae-yong can manage the country's largest conglomerate successfully.
Chung said to reporters, “it is a pity that we've lost such a great man,” after offering condolences to the family of the deceased.
“I would like to express my gratitude to him as he inculcated a sense of No.1 spirit in every industrial sector,” the chairman of the country's largest automotive group said.
When asked what he thinks of Samsung Group's future under Lee Jae-yong, Chung answered, “I expect Samsung will be able to make a change for the better.”
Park Yong-maan, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), was in attendance and offered his condolences to the late chairman's family. “Looking at the late chairman's portrait, a though popped into my head that the deceased probably hoped that an era of Lee Jae-yong will rise,” Park told reporters.
Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae was one of the leaders who visited the funeral service. “I have mixed emotions as we've lost a great man,” the chairman said.
Lee Nak-yon, second from right, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, arrives at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap
Lee Nak-yon, former prime minister and chairman of the ruling Democratic Party, also made his visit to the funeral place. After paying his respects, Lee told reporters, “the deceased achieved incredible innovation that most people are not even aware of.”
He added, “I would like to express my gratitude to the deceased for raising the nation's status and pride.”
Foreign ambassadors to Korea, including U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris and Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming, also offered their condolences.