“Thought Chairman Lee Kun-hee Had Returned”: Lee Jae-yong’s Glasses-Free Look Sparks Talk of Genetics Over His Striking Resemblance

[Financial News] Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, who usually wears glasses, has become a hot topic after appearing in public without them, prompting a flood of comments from netizens saying he was “a dead ringer for the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung.”
On the 12th, a post titled “Lee Jae-yong looks even more like Chairman Lee Kun-hee today, maybe because he isn’t wearing glasses” appeared on the online community theqoo.
The post included a photo of Chairman Lee delivering welcoming remarks without glasses at the “Chungcheong Region Mega Project Groundbreaking Ceremony,” held that day at the construction site of Samsung Electronics’ Onyang Campus in Asan, South Chungcheong Province.
Netizens responded with comments including, “The genes are incredible. They look exactly alike,” “If they hadn’t said it was Chairman Lee Jae-yong, I would have thought it was Chairman Lee Kun-hee,” “I thought they looked different when young—how did they end up looking so alike?” and “Blood doesn’t lie.”
Chairman Lee entered alongside President Lee Jae-myung, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony that day, and remained beside him throughout the event.
In his welcoming remarks, Chairman Lee said, “I am confident that, under your leadership, if the central and local governments and businesses join forces, we can create an opportunity for a major leap forward for the country,” adding, “We will take on an even greater sense of responsibility.”
President Lee also publicly referred to Chairman Lee in his congratulatory remarks, saying, “I hope the first shovel we turned together today will become a firm stepping stone toward building an ‘Irreplaceable Korea’ that no one can rival, going beyond Chungcheong’s dazzling leap forward.”
That day, guided by Chairman Lee, President Lee signed a TSP (Test & System Package), the flagship product manufactured at the Onyang plant, then personally chaired the fourth public-private joint review meeting on the mega-project, held at the site.
In his opening remarks, President Lee said, “Our people can have hope only when the economy grows,” adding, “We will actively and preemptively address the difficulties you business leaders on the ground are facing.”
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter