The children of Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Daesang Group Vice Chairwoman Im Se-ryung Lee Ji-ho and Lee Won-joo have drawn public attention since childhood, often referred to as Samsung’s “crown prince” and “princess.”
On November 28, Lee Ji-ho was commissioned as a second lieutenant during the 139th Naval Academy graduation and commissioning ceremony held in Changwon, South Korea. He will serve as a naval interpretation officer for 39 months.
Notably, during training, Lee Ji-ho was selected as a candidate for company commander, leading 89 newly commissioned officers during the oath-taking ceremony a rare feat for a member of a chaebol (Korean conglomerate) family.
Born in 2000 in the U.S., Lee Ji-ho once held dual citizenship (Korean-American). He was educated in prestigious institutions attending high school in Canada, studying at Sciences Po in France, and graduating from Columbia University in the U.S.
To fulfill his military duty as a naval officer, the Samsung heir voluntarily gave up his U.S. citizenship. This act has been praised in South Korea’s business circles as a clear demonstration of noblesse oblige a sense of duty among the privileged elite.
Meanwhile, his younger sister Lee Won-joo, born in 2004 in Manhattan, also held dual citizenship and grew up in international education environments. She attended Ewha Womans University Kindergarten and Seoul Yongsan International School before moving to the U.S., where she graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall, one of the top private schools in the country. She is now attending the University of Chicago.
Lee Won-joo previously trained in ballet at the Korea National Ballet Academy. Her father, Lee Jae-yong, was frequently seen backstage supporting her performances.
With a height of around 172 cm and a striking fashion sense, the “Samsung princess” garners attention wherever she appears. She maintains a broad international network and has been spotted mingling with descendants of prominent families, including those tied to Baidu, Gudang Garam, and Oracle.
Despite her privileged background, Lee Won-joo has charmed many with her down-to-earth fashion choices, such as wearing a Nerdy hoodie and sneakers worth just 100,000 won (approximately $68) in YouTube videos shared by friends.
Lee Jae-yong and Im Se-ryung divorced in 2009, agreeing to alternate custody. Lee Won-joo primarily lived with her father, while Lee Ji-ho divided his time between both parents.
Even post-divorce, the parents maintained a disciplined, education-focused, and socially responsible upbringing style a hallmark of the Samsung legacy. The siblings are reportedly close and maintain strong relationships with both parents.
Lee Won-joo accompanied her father to the wedding of Hyundai Motor’s chairman’s daughter in 2022, and weeks later appeared at a Chanel show in Paris with her mother.
In 2020, Chairman Lee Jae-yong declared he would not pass Samsung’s management to his children. Currently, neither Lee Ji-ho nor Lee Won-joo hold shares in Samsung Electronics or any of the conglomerate’s key affiliates.
Sources: Znews
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