Lee Jae-yong Purchases 7.18 Million Shares of Samsung Electronics from Mother Hong Ra-hee for 1.9 Trillion Won

Lee Jae-yong, the chairman of Samsung Electronics, has purchased 7.18 million shares of the company from his mother, Hong Ra-hee, the honorary director of the Leeum Museum, for approximately 1.9 trillion won. This transaction is believed to be aimed at repaying loans incurred during the inheritance tax payment process following the death of the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung.

On September 9, Samsung Electronics announced that a transaction had taken place between major shareholders, with Hong Ra-hee selling 7.18 million shares to Lee Jae-yong. The deal is valued at around 1.9 trillion won, representing about 0.11% of the total issued shares of Samsung Electronics.

The transaction was conducted as a private deal between Hong and Lee. A Samsung Electronics representative stated, "As this is a transaction between major shareholders, we do not have an official position to disclose on behalf of the company."

Industry analysts believe that Hong Ra-hee sold part of her shares to repay the loans incurred during the inheritance tax payment process. The Samsung family has been making installment payments on the inheritance tax related to the shares and real estate inherited after the late chairman's passing.

By selling the shares directly to Lee Jae-yong instead of on the open market, it is interpreted as an effort to minimize the impact on the market. A large volume of shares worth over 1 trillion won could potentially exert pressure on Samsung Electronics' stock price if released all at once.

As a result of this transaction, Lee Jae-yong's ownership stake in Samsung Electronics will see a slight increase. However, since the shares involved represent only 0.11% of the total issued shares, the impact on the governance structure of the Samsung Group is expected to be limited.