Samsung heir apparent J. Y. Lee took a major step towards overall control of the family-run conglomerate on Thursday when shareholders approved his nomination to the nine-member board.

"In order to respond to the rapidly changing business conditions and to achieve sustainable levels of growth, the board has agreed that now is the right time to nominate Mr. Lee as a member," board chairman Kwon Oh-Hyun said.

The nomination was approved by an extraordinary meeting of Samsung shareholders.