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Lee Byung-chul, the founder and first CEO of Samsung Group, led the company from 1938 to 1987, transforming it from a small trading company to a diversified global conglomerate.
Under his visionary leadership, Samsung expanded into various industries, including electronics, semiconductors, and shipbuilding, laying the foundation for its future success.
Byung-chul's business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit allowed Samsung to navigate challenging times, such as the Korean War, and emerge as a major player in the global market.
While his tenure was marked by remarkable achievements, it is important to note that Samsung's early history under Byung-chul's leadership was not without controversy, as the company faced allegations of corruption and ties to the authoritarian government of the time.
Lee Kun-hee, the son of Samsung's founder Lee Byung-chul, served as the chairman and CEO of Samsung Group from 1987 to 2008, leading the company's transformation into a global electronics powerhouse.
Under his leadership, Samsung became the world's largest manufacturer of smartphones, memory chips, and appliances, thanks to his emphasis on innovation, quality, and competitiveness.
However, Lee Kun-hee's tenure was not without controversy, as he faced scandals and convictions for corruption and tax evasion, which raised concerns about the company's business practices and its close ties to the South Korean government.
Despite these challenges, Lee Kun-hee's strategic vision and commitment to technological advancement solidified Samsung's position as a key player in the global market.
Yun Jong-Yong, who served as the CEO of Samsung Electronics from 1996 to 2008, played a crucial role in the company's growth into a leading global manufacturer of semiconductors, LCD panels, and mobile phones.
He took the helm during a challenging period, implementing a massive reorganization effort and fostering a corporate culture that emphasized continuous innovation, leading to a five-fold increase in revenues and Samsung's ranking among the top 50 companies in the Fortune Global 500.
Yun's leadership was recognized with numerous awards, including Asia's Businessman of the Year from Fortune and a spot on BusinessWeek's Top 25 Managers of the Year.
While his tenure was marked by significant successes, Samsung Electronics also faced challenges during this period, such as the need to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and increasing competition in the global electronics industry.
Oh-Hyun Kwon, who served as the CEO of Samsung Electronics from 2012 to 2017, led the company's expansion into new markets, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI).
Under his leadership, Samsung's component business grew significantly, contributing substantially to the company's profits.
However, Kwon's tenure was not without challenges, as he navigated the company through the "unprecedented crisis" that followed the imprisonment of Jay Y. Lee, the de facto leader of the Samsung Group, on corruption charges.
In 2017, Kwon announced his resignation, citing the need for new leadership to better respond to the rapidly changing IT industry and the challenges faced by the company.
Ki Nam Kim, Hyun Suk Kim, and Dong-Jin Koh served as the three co-CEOs of Samsung from 2018 to 2021, leading the company through a period of reorganization and growth.
Under their leadership, Samsung was divided into two business divisions: Device Solutions and Device Experience, allowing for more focused strategies in each area.
Despite the challenges posed by the complex relationship between Samsung and Apple, which included legal disputes over patent infringement, the co-CEOs maintained a strong business partnership, with Samsung continuing to supply components for Apple's products.
Their tenure was marked by a focus on innovation and expansion, as Samsung Electronics continued to deliver strong financial performance and maintain its position as a major player in the global technology industry.
Kyung Kye-Hyun and Han Jong-hee, appointed as co-CEOs of Samsung in December 2021, are currently responsible for leading the company's device solutions and device experience divisions, respectively.
This leadership change was part of Samsung's strategic move to enhance its business competitiveness and drive future growth.
Han Jong-hee, previously head of the visual display business, took on the challenge of overseeing the newly merged 'SET' division, which combines the mobile and consumer-electronics divisions, aiming to strengthen synergies and drive growth.
Meanwhile, Kyung Kye-hyun, with his background as CEO of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, brings expertise in semiconductor design to maintain Samsung's leadership in the chip and components sector.
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