KOREA WHO
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CJ Group chairman
Lee Jay-hyun
Lee Drives CJ’s Lifestyle Rise, Sibling Succession
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Last Updated on Jul 8, 2026
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CJ Group chairman
Life Summary
Lee Jay-hyun is chairman of CJ Group.
He is preparing for management succession through his eldest son, Lee Sun-ho, head of CJ’s Future Planning Group, and his eldest daughter, Lee Kyoung-hoo, head of CJ ENM’s Brand Strategy Office.
He was born on March 19, 1960, in Seoul as the second of one daughter and two sons of Lee Maeng-hee, former honorary chairman of CJ, and Son Bok-nam, former management adviser of CJ CheilJedang.
His older sister is Lee Mi-kyung, vice chair of CJ Group, and his younger brother is Lee Jae-hwan, chairman of Jaesan Holdings.
He graduated from Kyungbock High School in Seoul and Korea University with a degree in law.
He worked at Citibank before joining CheilJedang.
He moved to Samsung Electronics’ Strategic Planning Office, then returned and became CEO of CheilJedang in 1997.
In 2002, he led CheilJedang’s separation and independence from Samsung Group, then expanded its business areas from food into logistics, biotechnology and media.
He served time in prison after being sentenced to a prison term on charges including tax evasion, but was released through a Liberation Day special pardon.
He returned to management in 2017 and has been directing mergers and acquisitions as well as the restructuring of affiliates’ governance structures.
#LeeJayhyun #CJGroup #CJCheilJedang #CJENM #LeeSunho #LeeKyounghoo #SamsungGroup #ManagementSuccession #KoreanBusiness #BusinessBiography
He is preparing for management succession through his eldest son, Lee Sun-ho, head of CJ’s Future Planning Group, and his eldest daughter, Lee Kyoung-hoo, head of CJ ENM’s Brand Strategy Office.
He was born on March 19, 1960, in Seoul as the second of one daughter and two sons of Lee Maeng-hee, former honorary chairman of CJ, and Son Bok-nam, former management adviser of CJ CheilJedang.
His older sister is Lee Mi-kyung, vice chair of CJ Group, and his younger brother is Lee Jae-hwan, chairman of Jaesan Holdings.
He graduated from Kyungbock High School in Seoul and Korea University with a degree in law.
He worked at Citibank before joining CheilJedang.
He moved to Samsung Electronics’ Strategic Planning Office, then returned and became CEO of CheilJedang in 1997.
In 2002, he led CheilJedang’s separation and independence from Samsung Group, then expanded its business areas from food into logistics, biotechnology and media.
He served time in prison after being sentenced to a prison term on charges including tax evasion, but was released through a Liberation Day special pardon.
He returned to management in 2017 and has been directing mergers and acquisitions as well as the restructuring of affiliates’ governance structures.
#LeeJayhyun #CJGroup #CJCheilJedang #CJENM #LeeSunho #LeeKyounghoo #SamsungGroup #ManagementSuccession #KoreanBusiness #BusinessBiography