Lee Jee-ho, the eldest son of Lee Jae-yong, chairman of South Korea’s largest conglomerate Samsung, is set to begin military service as a naval officer later this month, in a move hailed in Seoul as a rare gesture of noblesse oblige from the fourth generation of Korea’s most prominent business dynasty.
According to industry officials on Wednesday, the younger Lee will enter training on Sept. 15 as a member of the Navy’s 139th officer candidate class.
He will undergo 11 weeks of basic and leadership training at the Naval Academy in Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province, before being commissioned as a second lieutenant on Dec.1.
His military commitment will run for 39 months, including 36 months of active duty following his commissioning.
Born in the US in 2000, the son holds dual citizenship.
In Korea, dual nationals from wealthy or well-connected families often dodge military service by renouncing their Korean citizenship. Or they could serve briefly as enlisted soldiers while retaining foreign nationality.
Lee has given up his US citizenship in order to serve as an officer in Korea.
“This decision carries strong symbolism,” said an industry official. “Unlike other dual nationals who exploit loopholes, he chose the harder path.”
According to government data, about 100 young men each year volunteer for military service in Korea while holding US citizenship or permanent residency.
Able-bodied Korean males must serve in the military for a certain period.
By Chae-Yeon Kim
why29@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.
