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| Condolence flowers sent from National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug arrive at the funeral venue for Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap |
By Yi Whan-woo
Rival political parties and business circles mourned the death of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee, Sunday, recognizing his business acumen that turned the company into a global consumer electronics giant over three decades.
The parties, however, were divided in their assessment of Lee's legacy. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and minor opposition Justice Party brought up irregularities of Samsung during Lee's leadership until 2014 when he suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized thereafter.
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) highlighted Lee's innovative mindset best described in his 1993 speech when he urged his executives to "change everything except your wife and children."
"Chairman Lee was indeed a key business figure who laid the cornerstone for Korea's economic growth by leading Samsung to make strides as a global firm," the DPK said in an official statement carried out by its spokesman Huh Young. "But his life was tumultuous, with glory, honor, shame and disgrace all mixed together."
Huh said Samsung under Lee's leadership often "did not abide by the law" in its pursuance of becoming a global tech company. He listed off corrupt ties with politicians, bans on unions, cross-affiliate deals and other irregularities that tainted Samsung's reputation.
"All these negative legacies now have been left to us," the spokesman said, adding the DPK expects Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong to "go for a new Samsung following his father's death."
In a Facebook post, DPK Chairman Lee Nak-yon asked Samsung to "cut off its chains of wrongdoings in the past and be born again."
The Justice Party said Lee's "dark shadow" characterized with political connections and bans on unions has been "extended to his son."
The party further said, "We urge Samsung to clear that shadow and lead an overhaul of conglomerate going forward."
PPP spokesman Bae Joon-young noted Lee had "foresight for Samsung to become a No.1 global leader in microchips, mobile phones and other cutting-edge technologies."
"His innovative mindset has inspired the people regardless of sector," he said. "We must become ready for the future through innovation and trial and error so that Lee's lesson will not go in vain."
PPP floor leader Joo Ho-young said Lee's entrepreneurship "will be remembered through generations."
Cheong Wa Dae said President Moon Jae-in sent condolence flowers to bereaved families and that Moon's chief of staff Noh Young-min and secretary for economic affairs Lee Ho-seong made condolence calls.
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), one of the country's leading business lobby groups, lauded Lee for "exceptional and innovative business management and building Samsung as a global blue-chip company."
"Chairman Lee brought confidence that we can be the world's best. The business circles will uphold his spirit of challenge and innovation," it said.
Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) chief Huh Chang-soo called Lee an "entrepreneur who practiced patriotism through business management" by paving the way for economic growth engines.
"I looked forward to seeing him recover and leave the hospital …. And I can't express my sorrow and shock as he is gone," Huh said.
International media outlets poured out news on Samsung's rise and Lee's life. The Associated Press referred to him as "the force behind Samsung." Reuters called him "the charismatic leader." AFP described Lee as "the hermit king" for living a reclusive existence.
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