South Korean IOC Member Steps Aside

(ATR) Former Samsung chair Kun Hee Lee has asked the IOC to not consider him for reelection as a member.

Lee has suffered health issues since 2014 after being hospitalized for a heart attack and a coma. Since then Lee has not made public appearances in Korea. Samsung released a statement in 2016 denying that Lee had died in response to media speculation.

Since Lee’s health issues arose Samsung has experienced turbulent times in South Korea. Lee’s son Jay is currently on trial for his role in a growing influence peddling scandal that brought down the Geun Hye Park administration. Indicted in February, Jay Lee faces bribery charges for offering up to $38 million to Park and her confidant Soon Sil Choi.

Despite the legal troubles, Samsung has posted record earnings this year.

Lee was first elected to the IOC in 1996 in Atlanta. He was suspended in 2008 as a result of his conviction in South Korea over charges of tax evasion and embezzlement. He was later pardoned and returned as Samsung chairman. The IOC Ethics Commission reprimanded Lee, but allowed him to return as a full voting member ahead of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

IOC members now serve eight year terms that can be renewed by vote of the IOC Session until reaching retirement age. Lee is due for renewal at the IOC Session in Lima in September. Aged 75, Lee could have served until age 80, but after missing three consecutive IOC Sessions, his tenure was already at risk.

Samsung joined the IOC TOP Program in 1998, two years after Lee joined the IOC. The company’s sponsorship lasts until 2020 in the wireless communications category.

Lee was also instrumental in bringing the 2018 Winter Olympics to PyeongChang, South Korea. It was the third time bidding for the Games.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time during his continued illness," said the IOC statement.

South Korea will have one member after the IOC Session, Athlete Commission member Seung Min Ryu.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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