This photo taken Jan. 2, 2026, shows the dealing room at Woori Bank in central Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s richest business leaders saw a sharp surge in their stock wealth over the past year, lifted by a strong rally in domestic equities, with gains exceeding 35 trillion won ($26 billion) among the heads of the country’s largest conglomerates, according to a new analysis released Monday.
A report by the Korea CXO Institute found that the combined stock value held by the controlling shareholders of 45 major business groups rose 61 percent over the past year, climbing from 57.9 trillion won at the start of last year to 93.3 trillion won this month. More than 90 percent of those surveyed recorded an increase in their equity holdings.
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The largest beneficiary was Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, whose stock wealth rose by more than 13.9 trillion won over the period.
His holdings were valued at roughly 25.9 trillion won as of early January, driven largely by a surge in Samsung Electronics shares, which more than doubled in value year-on-year.
Gains in Samsung C&T and Samsung Life Insurance also contributed to the increase, alongside a recent inheritance of Samsung C&T shares from his mother, Hong Ra-hee.
Lee was followed by Celltrion founder Seo Jung-jin, whose stock holdings grew by about 3.3 trillion won to nearly 13.7 trillion won, as shares in the biopharmaceutical company rallied. Kakao founder Kim Beom-su and Chung Mong-joon, the largest shareholder of HD Hyundai, each saw their equity wealth rise by more than 2 trillion won.
Several other prominent corporate leaders — including Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon — posted gains exceeding 1 trillion won over the same period.
Celltrion founder Seo Jung-jin (Image courtesy of Celltrion)
The fastest percentage increase belonged to Lee Yong-han, chairman of Wonik Group. His stock wealth jumped more than fivefold in a year, largely due to an extraordinary rise in Wonik Holdings shares, which surged nearly 1,600 percent from early last year.
Analysts said the results underscore how South Korea’s equity rally has disproportionately benefited company founders and controlling shareholders, particularly those tied to technology, biotechnology and manufacturing groups at the center of the market’s recent gains.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
