Samsung Group heir apparent Jay Y. Lee will take over from his father Lee Kun-hee as head of two key foundations, the conglomerate said on Friday, suggesting that a transfer of leadership is underway at South Korea's largest conglomerate. A Samsung Group spokeswoman said Jay Y. Lee would succeed his father as chairman of Samsung Life Public Welfare Foundation and Samsung Foundation of Culture from May 31. Samsung insiders say the younger Lee has been acting as key decision-maker at the vast conglomerate which includes smartphone giant Samsung Electronics Co since his father's hospitalisation a year ago.