In 1995, Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee made the so-called Beijing Remark, “Korea’s economy is second-class, administration is third-class, and politics is fourth-class,” which caused a huge reaction in Korea. Such a statement would have been unthinkable during the era of authoritarian governments. Of course, the entire Samsung Group reportedly paid a heavy price for this remark for several months, but it is an anecdote that illustrates the status of conglomerates (or chaebols) in Korean society. At least in terms of efficiency and productivity, businesspeople outperform bureaucrats and politicians.