Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong reunites with ex-wife Daesang vice chairwoman Lim Se-ryeong for first time since 2009 divorce

By Phong Ngo November 30, 2025 | 08:14 pm PT

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and his ex-wife, Lim Se-ryeong, Vice Chairwoman of Daesang Holdings, reunited for the first time since their 2009 divorce to attend their son Lee Ji-ho’s commissioning ceremony as a naval second lieutenant.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Photo by Reuters

On Nov. 28, members of the Samsung founding family gathered at the Republic of Korea Naval Academy in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, to witness the commissioning of Ji-ho, the eldest son of Jae-yong, as a naval officer after completing an 11-week officer candidate course, according to Korea Herald.

While Lim, Vice Chair of South Korean food conglomerate Daesang, attended the event, she sat separately from her ex-husband, Jae-yong.

During the ceremony, Jae-yong personally pinned the second lieutenant insignia on his son and offered words of encouragement, saying, "You’ve done well."

When Jae-yong returned to his seat, Lim approached her son to embrace him and congratulate him on his achievement, as reported by Chosun Daily.

Born in the U.S. in 2000, Ji-ho, a dual national, renounced his U.S. citizenship to serve as a naval officer. Under South Korea's current laws, dual nationals must relinquish foreign citizenship to serve as officers, though they can retain it if they enlist as regular soldiers.

This is the first time a member of the Samsung family has become a commissioned officer.

In a statement, Ji-ho reflected on his training: "Through 11 weeks of grueling training, I gained confidence that I can achieve anything and the mindset to overcome difficulties. I was able to persevere until the end thanks to my peers." He added, "I feel immense pride in joining the Navy as an officer and will do my best in any assigned role."

Lim Se Ryung (L) and Lee Jung Jae attend the 2023 LACMA Art+Film Gala on Nov. 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by AFP

Lim and Jae-yong married in 1998 when she was 21, and the couple divorced in 2009. According to sources cited by The Korea Times, Lim reportedly agreed to give up custody of their two children in exchange for a multi-million-dollar settlement from Jae-yong.

As of Nov. 30, Forbes estimated Jae-yong's net worth at $14 billion, making him the second-richest person in South Korea.

Lim in 2015 confirmed she has been dating Netflix's Squid Game actor Lee Jung-jae. The couple has frequently attended public events, including the LACMA Art + Film Gala in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023, as well as their red carpet debuts at the Cannes Film Festival and the Primetime Emmys in 2022.