SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - The number of founders among South Korea's 50 wealthiest stockholders has more than doubled over the past decade, increasing from five to 12, according to a report by corporate research firm Leaders Index released Tuesday.
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong remains at the top of the list, with shares valued at 12.17 trillion won ($9.4 billion). Despite holding the top spot, Lee’s holdings have shrunk by 15.4 percent since early 2023, shedding approximately 2.21 trillion won in value.
Other members of the Samsung family continue to dominate the rankings. Hong Ra-hee, former director of the Leeum Museum and widow of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, ranks third with 5.48 trillion won in holdings. Hotel Shilla President Lee Boo-jin and Samsung C&T President Lee Seo-hyun, Lee Kun-hee’s daughters, follow closely with stock values of 4.90 trillion won and 4.23 trillion won, respectively.
Meritz Financial Group Chairman Cho Jung-ho has surged to second place, with stockholdings worth 9.92 trillion won, becoming one of the most prominent new entrants to the list.
The list also highlights a growing presence of founders, including Alteogen CEO Park Soon-jae, Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, and Krafton Chairman Chang Byung-gyu. Entertainment moguls such as JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young also joined the ranks of the country’s wealthiest stockholders.
The combined stockholdings of South Korea's top 50 wealthy individuals totaled 86.08 trillion won ($66.8 billion) this year, reflecting a modest 2.3 percent increase from 84.12 trillion won a decade ago. This growth pales in comparison to the broader stock market, which expanded by 76.9 percent over the same period.
Leaders Index attributed the underperformance to "ownership dilution during management succession processes and the decline in share values of newly listed entrepreneurs."
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