Lee Kun-hee, Force Behind Samsung’s Rise, Dies at 78

Lee Kun-hee, Force Behind Samsung’s Rise, Dies at 78
Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee (R) greets people from the South Korean delegation in Durban, South Africa, for the 123rd International Olympic Committee (IOC) session that will decide the host city for the 2018 Olympics Winter Games, on July 6, 2011. Schalk van Zuydam/AP Photo
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SEOUL, South Korea—Lee Kun-hee, the ailing Samsung Electronics chairman who transformed the small television maker into a global giant of consumer electronics but whose leadership was also marred by corruption convictions, died on Sunday. He was 78.

Lee died with his family members by his side, including his only son and Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, the company said in a statement.