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[SUPER RICH] Lee Maeng-hee’s death brings Samsung family together
By 배지숙Published : Aug. 18, 2015 - 19:06
The “pan-Samsung founding family” gathered at the memorial altar of the late honorary chairman of CJ Group, Lee Maeng-hee, who died last week of lung cancer in China.
It was a rare scene of public togetherness for the media-reclusive Lee clan, who have been reported to be rather distant from each other. Some business insiders suggest that the funeral of the eldest of Samsung founder Lee Byung-chull’s offspring could be an icebreaker for the family, which runs some of the country’s largest business enterprises.
It was a rare scene of public togetherness for the media-reclusive Lee clan, who have been reported to be rather distant from each other. Some business insiders suggest that the funeral of the eldest of Samsung founder Lee Byung-chull’s offspring could be an icebreaker for the family, which runs some of the country’s largest business enterprises.
Those who showed up at the memorial altar at Seoul National University Hospital included family members of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee.
Lee Kun-hee’s son and Samsung vice chairman Lee Jae-yong visited the altar Monday evening, shortly after his mother and Leeum director Hong Ra-hee as well as Hotel Shilla president Lee Boo-jin paid a visit.
Lee Kun-hee was the younger brother of Lee Maeng-hee and the two were reportedly not on speaking terms after Lee Kun-hee took over the Samsung helm in 1987, despite being the younger son. In 2012, Lee Maeng-hee, along with his sister Sook-hee, filed a suit against Lee Kun-hee demanding a portion of the trillions of won in inheritance from their father that Kun-hee had allegedly kept behind the other siblings’ backs. The court ruled in favor of Lee Kun-hee.
A thaw between the families was detected later when Lee Jae-yong signed a petition asking for Lee Maeng-hee’s imprisoned son and CJ Group chairman Lee Jae-hyun’s bail or parole.
Shinsegae chairwoman and Lee Maeng-hee’s youngest sister Lee Myung-hee visited the altar Monday night with her husband and Shinsegae honorary chairman Chung Jae-eun, her son and Shinsegae vice chairman Chung Yong-jin and her daughter and Shinsegae vice president Chung Yoo-kyung.
Lee Maeng-hee’s eldest sister, Hansol Group adviser Lee In-hee, and the family members of the late Lee Chang-hee, Lee Maeng-hee’s younger brother, also visited the parlor. The Lee Chang-hee family operated the now-defunct Saehan Group.
The late Lee Chang-hee, Lee Byung-chull’s second son, was allegedly banished from the business empire for having reportedly informed the government of the father’s business misdemeanors. Lee Chang-hee’s children have reportedly remained distant from their kin, too, but the descendants in 2012 filed a separate suit against Lee Kun-hee for some of Lee Byung-chull’s inheritance.
“The pan-Samsung family gathered a day before access for other people was allowed. It is not known whether they have spoken to each other about anything, but it is clearly a positive opportunity,” a business insider said. “Perhaps this is the first public gathering of the family in decades,” he added.
They were greeted by Lee Sun-ho, eldest son of CJ Group chairman Lee Jae-hyun, who is the eldest son of the late Lee. Lee Maeng-hee’s daughter and CJ vice chairwoman Lee Mie-kyung also flew from the U.S. to be beside her late father.
Only two people were thought to be absent from the scene -- Lee Kun-hee, who has been hospitalized for more than a year at Samsung Medical Center, and Lee Maeng-hee’s eldest son Lee Jae-hyun, who is being treated at SNUH for kidney failure.
Though Lee Jae-hyun was granted a visit during his state-confinement over tax evasion, his severe illness has prevented him from even leaving the ward. Lee Jae-hyun’s younger brother Lee Jae-hwan and Lee Sun-ho stood in for Lee Jae-hyun in playing the role of host in the funeral process.
Lee Maeng-hee’s memorial altar was also visited by many business and political leaders, including SK chairman Chey Tae-won, who was recently pardoned from his embezzlement charges by President Park Geun-hye, Doosan chairman Park Yong-maan and Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun. President Park Geun-hye and former high-ranking government officials also sent flowers and messages of condolence.
The funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)
