KOREA WHO

Lee Jay-hyun is the chairman of CJ Group.

In 2023, he has focused his efforts on improving the management efficiency of CJ Group's affiliates and preparing future growth engines amidst declining profitability.

He is executing a strategy to invest over KRW 20 trillion (approximately USD 14.4 billion) by 2025 in the areas identified as the four growth engines: Culture, Platform, Wellness, and Sustainability (C.P.W.S).

He was born on March 19, 1960, in Seoul, as the eldest son of Lee Maeng-hee, former honorary chairman of CJ, and Sohn Bok-nam, former management advisor of CJ CheilJedang. He is also the eldest grandson of Lee Byung-chul, the founder of Samsung Group.

Lee graduated from Kyungbock High School in Seoul and earned a degree in law from Korea University.

After working at Citibank, he joined CJ CheilJedang, where he held various positions, including manager of the accounting department, managing director, executive director, and vice-chairman.

Through expansive management, he transformed CJ CheilJedang, a food company with sales of approximately KRW 2.2 trillion (approximately USD 1.6 billion), into CJ Group, encompassing food, logistics, biotechnology, and media.

After serving a prison sentence for charges including tax evasion, he was released in 2016 through a special pardon on Liberation Day.

Upon returning to management, he has pursued mergers and acquisitions and restructured the affiliate governance to expand CJ Group's business.

He is known for being frugal and humble.