Lee Ji-ho, son of Samsung Chairman, identified as naval officer

Lee Ji-ho, the eldest son of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, has been identified as a naval interpretation officer serving in the Republic of Korea Navy. His presence was noted in official photographs from a meeting held on September 9 between Rear Admiral Kang Jeong-ho, Commander of the ROK Navy Education and Training Command, and Rear Admiral Gregory Huffman of the U.S. Navy.

Lee, who is currently assigned to the Information and Operations Staff Office of the 5th Mine Countermeasures Landing Group, provided interpretation support for the meeting due to a shortage of available officers. To serve as a naval officer, Lee renounced his U.S. citizenship, which he held since birth.

He completed 11 weeks of training at the Naval Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in late 2023. He is scheduled to be promoted to first lieutenant in December and is expected to complete his 36-month mandatory service on November 30, 2028.