Samsung Chief Is Korea's Richest Shareholder

The richest stockholder in Korea is Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong with over W14 trillion worth of stocks (US$1=W1,188).

According to market researcher Leaders Index on Tuesday, Lee owned stocks valued at W14.46 trillion as of Friday, the most among 200 shareholders of listed companies in the country. Lee's total holdings rose 51 percent from W9.57 trillion early this year as he inherited shares from his late father Lee Kun-hee.

Lee Kun-hee's widow Hong Ra-hee ranked second with W11.48 trillion worth of stocks, while her two daughters Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun placed third with W7.25 trillion and fifth with W6.55 trillion.

But next was Kim Beom-su, the founder and chairman of mobile messaging giant Kakao, with W6.74 trillion, rather than the scion of an established conglomerate.

Hyundai ex-chairman Chung Mong-koo came sixth with W5.34 trillion, followed by Bang Si-hyuk, the impresario behind Hybe Corporation that manages boy band Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, with W4.48 trillion and Meritz Financial Group chairman Cho Jung-ho with W3.96 trillion. The value of Cho's holdings jumped 313 percent from early this year, and this was the first time he has made it into the top 10.

Hyundai chairman Chung Eui-sun ranked ninth with W3.72 trillion and SK chairman Chey Tae-won 10th with W3.32 trillion.