Samsung Electronics Co. officially appointed Lee Jae-Yong as its executive chairman, formalizing the all-encompassing leadership role he has long played at South Korea’s largest business. The 54-year-old, Lee has been vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, the crown jewel of South Korea’s biggest business conglomerate, since 2012. He takes over a position previously held by his father, Lee Kun-hee, who died two years ago after being incapacitated by a 2014 heart attack.