Samsung chief joins chip industry leaders at Korean art gala in London
The British Museum hosted a glittering gala on Wednesday, bringing together political, business and cultural figures to celebrate a landmark Korean art exhibition. The evening blended the worlds of art and high‑tech, underscoring the museum’s role as a crossroads for global dialogue.
The show, Korea: 2,000 Years of Creativity, draws from the private collection of the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun‑hee and marks the museum’s first major Korean showcase since 1984. Spanning two millennia, the works trace the evolution of Korean aesthetics from ancient pottery to contemporary installations.
Among the guests were top executives from the semiconductor supply chain – Christophe Fouquet of ASML, Kai Beckmann of Merck, Andreas Pecher of ZEISS and Patrick Vandenameele of Imec – highlighting Samsung’s strategy of pairing cultural patronage with strategic technology partnerships.
Executive Chairman Lee Jae‑yong used the platform to thank Korean War veterans, acknowledge Princess Anne’s support, and reiterate his family’s long‑standing belief that art and culture should be preserved and shared across generations. The event reinforced ties between Korea and Britain while showcasing the soft power of Korean heritage.