Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Profile

Factual: Life Stories

An insight into the character of an influential figure making news headlines

BBC Radio 4 FM

Profile: Lee Kun-Hee (Chairman, Samsung)

profile_lee-kun-hee_151016_e_get.jpg

15/10/2016

Lee Kun-Hee (Chairman, Samsung)

BBC Radio 4 - Profile, Lee Kun-Hee (Chairman, Samsung)

Mark Coles tells the story of one of the world's most enigmatic business leaders.

Mark Coles tells the story of one of the world's most enigmatic business leaders: Lee Kun-Hee, chairman of Samsung Group.

Samsung started out as a tiny exporter of dried fish. Today it's one of the world's biggest tech giants; the family-run business accounts for about a quarter of South Korea's entire GDP.

This week Samsung was forced to stop production of its new Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after a number of them apparently exploded or caught fire. 

Samsung's chairman Lee Kun-Hee - son of the firm's founder - saw the value of his company plummet. You'd think he'd be fuming. But he hasn't been seen since he suffered a heart attack in 2014. Some in South Korea think he could be dead. 

Mark Coles tells the story of Lee Kun-Hee - one of the world's most enigmatic and fascinating business leaders.

Researcher: Kirsteen Knight
Producer: Smita Patel.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Profile

Lee Kun-Hee (Chairman, Samsung)

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4