Samsung Chief Returning to Spotlight

Lee Kun-hee, the chairman of the Samsung Group, seems busy again these days.

According to a source from the business community, Lee is set to meet with outside guests including Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook today at the Hoam award ceremony that will take place at the Hoam art hall in Seoul along with his wife Hong La-hee.

His official activities have picked up a year after his last visit to local operation sites in Southeast Asian nations in last June.

Last September, Lee left for America to take medical treatment and stayed for five months in the U.S., Japan and other countries. Since he returned home this February, he has hardly showed himself in official events.

On May 29, Lee with his wife attended the wedding ceremony of the oldest son of Hong Suk-hyun, the former president of the JoongAng Daily newspaper and his brother in law. On May 24, he went to a meeting for balanced development between small, medium and large companies held at the presidential office.

Earlier, he convened CEOs of Samsung Group affiliates including Samsung Electronics, Samsung SDI, Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Fire Insurance to discuss current managerial challenges at Seungjiwon, the privileged guesthouse of the Samsung conglomerate.

This month, he is allegedly scheduled to dine with CEOs of other affiliates, including Samsung Corporation and Cheil Industries at the Seungjiwon.

He stresses in the meetings that Samsung needs to take a humble attitude in order to become beloved by Korean citizens.

The head of Samsung called on Samsung CEOs to encourage comprehensive innovation by presenting the Mach theorem and Golf theorem, Samsung said. The Mach theorem says that not only the engine, but also every part of the plane has to be changed to fly faster than Mach 3, while the Golf theorem requires every tool, including drivers, irons and putters to be enhanced to lower handicap.

Lee is reportedly planning to have a luncheon meeting or a golf meeting with the executives of the Federation of Korean Industries.

Young-Hae Choi yhchoi65@donga.com