Samsung Heir Meets Powell, Gore

Business circles see positive results from meetings for Samsung and business community in general

Senior Vice President Lee Jae-yong, the only son of former Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, is back on the job, following the end of his father's court trial.
The future heir to the Samsung fortune met with Colin Powell, former U.S. secretary of state, in Bangkok and also had a one-on-one meeting with Al Gore, former U.S. vice president, while Gore was visiting Seoul.
Business sources said the Samsung executive met Gore for breakfast at the Park Hyatt Hotel in southern Seoul on Nov. 15. They said it was the former U.S. vice president who requested to meet with Lee and the two met privately for an hour. They are presumed to have discussed the financial crisis gripping the world and possible solutions to the crisis and environmental problems.
Gore was said to have expressed a deep common interest in Samsung Electronics management policies to include environmental issues so that they will be reflected in the company's operations.
Company sources said Lee and Gore knew each other for a long time as they are alumni of Harvard University.
Prior to the meeting with Gore, Lee was invited to attend a dinner by Ryu Jin, chairman of the Poongsan Group in Bangkok, where he met with Powell.
Business circles are encouraged by the Samsung heir's meetings with people close to U.S. President-elect Barack Obama because they believe Lee can be a catalyst linking the business community in Korea and the U.S. president-elect, which could prove to help Samsung and the business community. nw

Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics Co. Lee Jae-yong.


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