"Only Mourning During Funeral Period" vs "Evaluation Alongside Public and Private Sectors" Political Circles Controversy Over Criticism of Lee Kun-hee

With "Strengthening Chaebol-Centered Economic Structure... Non-Recognition of Labor Unions"
Opposition: "Chairman Lee Kun-hee's Corporate History Will Be Remembered by Future Generations"

Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung and a representative figure of the Korean business world, passed away on the 25th at Seoul Samsung Hospital in Irwon-dong, Seoul. He was 78 years old.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 25th, following the news of the passing of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee (78), memorial messages were issued by political parties across the spectrum, but some citizens have voiced criticism toward parties that mentioned issues such as collusion between politics and business. There are concerns about whether it was appropriate to release critical statements on the day of the passing of Chairman Lee, who represented the Korean business community.

The ruling party highly praised Chairman Lee's achievements but expressed regret regarding the aspect of operating without labor unions. The opposition party focused on evaluating Chairman Lee for leading the Korean economy. Citizens' opinions are divided as well. Some believe that both merits and demerits can be discussed when mentioning the conglomerate Samsung, while others argue that evaluations of negative aspects should be made after the funeral period.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Korean New Deal Party-Government-Civil Workshop held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook on the same day, "The late Chairman led change with innovative leadership at every critical moment. As a result, Samsung rose to become a global company in home appliances, semiconductors, and mobile phones," but he also said, "It cannot be denied that he had a negative impact by reinforcing a chaebol-centered economic structure and refusing to recognize labor unions."

Heo Young, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, also stated, "Chairman Lee was a key figure who led Samsung's global leap and laid the cornerstone for Korea's economic growth," but emphasized, "The negative legacies he left, such as work allocation for succession of management rights, unfair internal transactions, collusion between politics and business, and no-union management, are historical tasks our society must resolve."

The Justice Party pointed out that Chairman Lee also had a negative impact on society. Jung Ho-jin, senior spokesperson for the Justice Party, said in a statement, "He left a dark history in Korean society. We express our condolences," and evaluated, "Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee left a dark history in Korean society through extralegal management such as collusion between politics and business and no-union management. That shadow has continued to Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong." He added, "Now, we hope Samsung within the people will erase that shadow of dark history and take on the responsibility of chaebol reform."

People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young is speaking at the National Assembly's audit countermeasure meeting held on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed in a statement titled "Praying for the repose of Chairman Lee Kun-hee, a giant of the Korean economy," "The corporate history of Lee Kun-hee, who raised Korea's status in the world alongside Samsung, will be remembered by future generations," and said, "We pray for the true rest of the late who lived every moment to the fullest."

The People’s Party honored Chairman Lee’s spirit of innovation. Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, said in a statement, "The late’s visionary sense and spirit of challenge and innovation are something we all should emulate," and mourned, "We pray for the eternal rest of Chairman Lee Kun-hee, a great star of the Korean economy."

On the 25th, the day Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee passed away, citizens at Seoul Station were watching the breaking news related to Chairman Lee Kun-hee's death. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Citizens’ opinions are divided over the differing political stances regarding Chairman Lee’s passing. Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "No one is perfect in this world," and added, "Chairman Lee should be viewed by that standard as well." He emphasized, "The merits and demerits that occurred while managing Samsung can be evaluated after the funeral."

On the other hand, there is a view that criticism of Samsung’s extralegal operation without labor unions can be made regardless of the funeral period. Lee, a company employee in his 40s, said, "Since the large conglomerate Samsung has a huge influence on our society, evaluations of merits and demerits inevitably come out even during the funeral period." He added, "Where there is light, there must be shadow. I think it should be seen that way."

There is also an opinion that political parties should clearly evaluate Chairman Lee. Park, in his mid-30s, said, "Political parties are spaces where people with specific political orientations gather," and argued, "It is rather normal that there cannot be just any kind of commentary on the passing of Chairman Lee, who ran the large conglomerate Samsung."

Meanwhile, Chairman Lee’s funeral is being held as a family funeral for four days starting from the previous day (the 25th) at Samsung Medical Center in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Chairman Lee collapsed at his home in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in May 2014 due to acute myocardial infarction and passed away on this day after more than six years of battling illness.

Surviving family members include his wife Hong Ra-hee, former director of the Leeum Museum of Art; son Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics; daughter Lee Boo-jin, president of Hotel Shilla; daughter Lee Seo-hyun, chairperson of Samsung Welfare Foundation; and son-in-law Kim Jae-yul, president of Samsung Economic Research Institute.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.