Summary
Lee Hae-jin, the visionary behind NAVER, currently holds the position of Global Investment Officer (GIO) within the company. Widely recognized as one of South Korea’s leading internet entrepreneurs, he initiated his business journey during the early days of the internet, successfully establishing a foothold in the Korean internet market despite formidable competition from global tech giants. In addition to this, he played a pivotal role in expanding the influence of the domestic internet industry on a global scale.
Born in Seoul in June 1967, Lee earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Seoul National University and a master’s degree from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). His professional journey commenced in 1992 when he joined Samsung SDS. In 1997, he emerged as the inaugural winner of the Samsung SDS internal venture challenge, creating the foundational search service NAVER.
In 1999, Lee ventured out from Samsung SDS and founded NAVER Com, marking the establishment of a fully-fledged internet business. A significant milestone occurred in 2004 when NAVER Com merged with Hangame, rebranding as NHN. Lee, transitioning from co-president to Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), focused on developing a robust business strategy. Through the introduction of various services, including integrated search, Knowledge iN, blogs, and cafes, NAVER rose to prominence as the leading portal in Korea, surpassing competitors such as Yahoo and Daum. In 2013, NAVER underwent restructuring, dividing into portals and games, emphasizing and enhancing core competencies in each sector, and returning to its original name.
From the inception of the company, Lee emphasized the importance of international expansion alongside domestic growth, viewing it as essential for sustained development in the domestic internet industry. Even in the face of potential challenges, he remains committed to laying the groundwork for future global expansion by succeeding in international markets.
Lee’s dedication to globalization has borne fruit. LINE, originating in Japan in 2011, has evolved into a global service, and in 2016, it achieved listings on the Tokyo and New York stock exchanges. NAVER has also demonstrated rapid global expansion through services like Webtoon and Snow. Since 2017, Lee has held his current position, showcasing unwavering determination to tackle new challenges, including those in the realm of global investment.
Timeline
▲ June 1967 = Born in Seoul.
▲ 1990 = Completed Bachelor of Computer Science from Seoul National University.
▲ 1992 = Completed Master of Science in Computer Science from KAIST Graduate School.
▲ 1992 = Joined Samsung SDS.
▲ June 1999 = Founded NAVER.
▲ November 2001 = Became President and Co-Chairman of NHN.
▲ January 2004–December 2011 = Served as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of NHN.
▲ January 2004–July 2013 = Served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of NHN.
▲ January 2007–March 2013 = Served as Director of NHN Japan.
▲ January 2012–March 2013 = Served as Chairman of NHN Japan.
▲ April 2013 = Became Chairman and Director of LINE.
▲ August 2013–March 2017 = Served as Chairman and Board of Directors, NAVER.
▲ March 2017 = Became NAVER Global Investment Officer (GIO).
