Early Life and Education
Lee Hae-jin was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 22, 1967. His father was a prominent executive at Samsung Life Insurance, influencing his entry into the tech sector. He earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Seoul National University in 1990 and a Master of Science from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 1992. His academic background provided him with the necessary expertise to navigate the rapidly evolving internet landscape.
Rise to Success
Lee's professional journey began in 1992 at Samsung SDS. In 1997, he won an internal venture contest, which laid the groundwork for Naver's search technology. He founded Naver Corporation in June 1999. Naver quickly grew to become South Korea's top portal. In 2004, Naver merged with online gaming firm Hangame to form NHN Corporation, where Lee served as President and Co-Chairman. He became Chairman of Naver in 2013 and also chaired Line Corporation, driving international expansion through the Line messaging app. Line's 2016 IPO raised $1 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Lee focused on localization and user experience to gain market share in South Korea. Reinvesting profits into messaging, content, and fintech deepened user engagement. The 2021 SoftBank joint venture consolidated regional assets. His focus on AI since 2025 suggests a shift toward high-margin, scalable technologies. Lee's ownership stake in Naver has been a primary wealth driver. The Line IPO in 2016 was a key milestone, validating the global potential of Naver's ecosystem.
Philanthropy
Lee's philanthropic efforts are relatively understated compared to other tech billionaires. Naver's CSR programs focus on digital literacy and youth education. This approach may reflect cultural norms in South Korea, prioritizing corporate social responsibility over personal giving.