“Perhaps the greatest happiness in the world comes from realizing one's purpose in life. I have been fortunate enough to dedicate my entire life to business and have unwavering belief in contributing to the prosperity of the nation.” - From ‘Management Philosophy of Ho-Am’, November 1976
Born in 1910 in Uiryeong County, South Gyeongsang Province, Ho-Am Lee Byung-Chull launched his career by founding Samsung Company in Daegu in 1938. This marked the beginning of his major contribution to South Korea’s economic development, as he went on to build a diverse portfolio of businesses, most notably Samsung Electronics. His leadership extended beyond managing his own firms, and in 1961, he founded and served as the first chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries.
Ho-Am believed that business should serve the greater good for society, and in 1965, he established the Samsung Foundation of Culture to promote a broad range of programs designed to enrich Korean cultural life. In 1983, he pivoted into semiconductors based on his unique business acumen and foresight, helping to establish a solid foundation for the development of Korea’s advanced high-tech industries.
Today, Ho-Am is remembered as a pioneer of modern entrepreneurship and a beacon of national economic development. As a businessman, his managerial philosophy of ‘Contribute to the National Prosperity’, ‘People First’ and ‘Persuit of Rationality’, had a profound impact on lifting Korea to where it is today from the devastations the country suffered during colonial rule and the Korean War. At the same time, he left behind significant achievements and invaluable lessons to society in the areas of culture, arts, education and media.
