South Korea’s 5 richest billionaires in 2024 – net worths, ranked: BTS boss Bang Si-hyuk doesn’t make the list, which is dominated by the likes of Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai’s Chung Mong-koo
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South Korea’s diverse economy has given rise to billionaires active in a variety of sectors. Active in electronics and tech, as well as healthcare and property, the country’s richest managed to get even richer over the past year despite the overall dwindling global economy.
![South Korea has a robust entertainment sector, but none of its players crack the top five list of the country’s wealthiest. Photo: Getty Images](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/05/24/8bf7b436-afec-4c54-9e77-be50df0ba519_6114a0af.jpg)
Here, we look at the five wealthiest individuals in South Korea and their net worths, according to Forbes at the time of writing.
5. Chung Mong-koo
Estimated net worth: US$4.6 billion
![Hyundai Motor Co. chairman Chung Mong-koo, centre, breaks free from reporters in Seoul, in 2007. Photo: AP Photo](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/05/24/04f870cd-ba1f-4987-96ee-d4234c7947f7_b950b6c0.jpg)
If you’ve ever called for an Uber, chances are you’ve ridden in a Hyundai at some point. The largest carmaker in South Korea, Hyundai was under the leadership of Chung for well over 20 years before his son Euisun Chung took over in 2020. Chung inherited the Hyundai empire from his father, who founded the group in 1967. Besides its automotive operations, the Hyundai Group also owns auto brand Kia.
4. Cho Jung-ho
Estimated net worth: US$5.8 billion
3. Seo Jung-jin
Estimated net worth: US$7.5 billion
Like many pharmaceutical operations worldwide, Celltrion has experienced a big boost in its performance over the past few years. The firm, which specialises in cancer, flu and arthritis medication, was founded by Seo Jung-jin.
This marks the second stint in which the founder heads up the firm; he returned to the company in 2023 after stepping down. He and his family’s wealth ballooned when Celltrion Inc. went public in 2008, effectively making him a billionaire.
2. Michael Kim
Estimated net worth: US$9.7 billion
Born in South Korea and educated in the US, Kim co-founded South Korea’s largest equity firm. After getting educated in the US, he gained citizenship there and continues to spend time between the two countries. His firm has stakes in a variety of industries and operations, including insurance and retail.
1. Lee Jae-yong, aka Jay Y. Lee
Estimated net worth: US$11.5 billion
![Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong tops the list of South Korea’s richest. Photo: EPA](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/05/24/54e9083f-a3f6-4d7a-ae09-c22e3e8ff337_cb7372d6.jpg)
At the top of the list is none other than the chairman of Samsung Electronics. Lee finally assumed the role in 2020 after leaving it vacant for several years following his father’s passing. Despite his tainted record – Lee was jailed in the high-profile case of bribing then-South Korean President Park Geun-hye, although other reports state he bribed a confidante to the president, and a charge relating to financial fraud – Lee and his family remain at the top of the billionaire food chain.
Owning the country’s largest conglomerate means paying a lot of taxes. The family made headlines again when it was ordered to pay a whopping US$8.5 billion in inheritance taxes following Lee senior’s death. Four years on, it’s been reported that payments are still under way.
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- Although the K-pop and K-drama sectors have produced big moneymakers like BTS and Blackpink, and massive TV and film hits, no entertainment execs are among the top 10 richest in the country
- Despite being jailed in a high-profile bribery case involving the former South Korean president and his family still paying off billions in inheritance tax, Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong is still sitting pretty