Lee Won-jin, who recently took office as head of the TV division at Samsung Electronics, expressed his ambition to pursue disruptive innovation to defend its No. 1 global position. With the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) watershed, the aim is to leap beyond TV manufacturing to become an "AI full-stack corporations" and deliver results.
On the 12th, Lee said in his inauguration message as head of the Visual Display (VD) division, "The status of being No. 1 is an achievement that can be created only through constant self-reflection in step with the times, prepared innovation, and agile responses," adding, "The VD business is the root of Samsung Electronics and has achieved the remarkable feat of being No. 1 for 20 consecutive years." He added, "Although the environment our business faces now is grave, we have the underlying strength and success DNA that have driven innovation," and, "If we set goals together and take on challenges, I believe we can usher in a new era of leap forward."
On the 4th, Samsung Electronics announced executive appointments and named Lee, who had served as head of Global Marketing, as head of the VD division. At Samsung Electronics, hardware experts have traditionally led the TV business, but Lee is known as a content and marketing expert. Observers say the appointment reflects the company's intent to shift the business direction to improve profitability.
Lee also presented three requests and promises. He urged, "First, let's redefine our business and boldly take on challenges through self-reflection and innovation that do not settle for the status quo." Citing the example of the global "search empire" that has faced a crisis with the recent emergence of Generative AI, he stressed that the more you are No. 1, the more essential it is to respond agilely in line with the times.
Lee also said, "Let's press forward without fearing innovation that breaks out of existing molds." He assessed that competition has expanded across the board—from Chinese brands chasing with price competitiveness, to big tech targeting the living room with software power, to service and platform firms that occupy customers' time with powerful content. "To respond, we must change how the business grows with flexible thinking."
Lee further encouraged employees, saying, "Maintaining No. 1 in a single field for more than 20 years is a rare and remarkable achievement. Let's move forward trusting and relying on one another."