Lee, a Navy ensign serving as an interpreter officer, supported talks between Vice Adm. Kang Jung-ho, commander of South Korea's Navy Education and Training Command, and Rear Adm. Gregory C. Huffman, commander of the U.S. Naval Education and Training Command, in Jinhae, Changwon, on Sept. 9.
A photograph published by the Korea Defense Daily showed Lee seated behind Kang as he interpreted the South Korean commander's remarks. His presence at the meeting was not widely noticed when the image was initially published but drew attention this week after Lee was identified in the photograph.
The two commanders discussed expanding exchanges to train future naval personnel and improving education and training programs in response to a changing security environment.
The meeting was arranged after Kang proposed establishing regular consultations during a visit to the U.S. Naval Education and Training Command and recruiting command last year. The two sides plan to continue holding the talks regularly.
Discussions covered areas including artificial intelligence, space and manned-unmanned teaming, as well as improvements to officer and noncommissioned officer training and naval recruitment programs.
He was sent to support the nearby education command because an interpreter was needed for the meeting.
Born in the United States, Lee previously held dual South Korean and U.S. citizenship but renounced his U.S. citizenship to serve as a commissioned officer in the South Korean Navy.
He entered the Navy's 139th officer candidate class in September 2025 and was commissioned as an ensign in November after completing officer training at the Republic of Korea Naval Academy. He is scheduled to be discharged on Nov. 30, 2028.
Lee is expected to be promoted to lieutenant junior grade on Dec. 1, according to military sources.
AJP Takeaways
- Lee Ji-ho, the eldest son of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, served as a Navy interpreter during a South Korea-U.S. naval education and training meeting in September.
- The ROK-U.S. Navy meeting in Jinhae brought together senior commanders to discuss cooperation in training, recruitment and emerging areas including AI and manned-unmanned systems.
- Lee, who was commissioned as a South Korean Navy ensign in 2025, is serving as an interpreter officer and is expected to be promoted to lieutenant junior grade in December.
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