2017 Korea Top 50 Richest
The top 50 richest people in Korea in 2017 have a combined estimated net worth of more than $132.45 billion, in the Forbes report released in 2018.
Lee Kun-Hee, who is the Chairman of Samsung, top the list with an estimated net worth of $20.6 billion. Seo Jung-Jin, who is CEO of Celltrion (Korea’s largest biotech company), is 2nd on the list with $11 billion. Jae Y. Lee, Vice Chairman of Samsung, is 3rd on the list with $7.9 billion.
Suh Kyung-Bae, the Chairman of AmorePacific Corporation (Korea’s largest beauty & health company) and Kim Jung-Ju, the co-founder of Nexon (global video game company), rounded up the top 5 richest people in Korea with $7.6 billion and $7.1 billion respectively.
Top 5 Richest in Korea:
Rank | Name | Net Worth (USD) | Age | Source | Company |
1 | Lee Kun-Hee | $20.6 B | 76 | electronics | Samsung |
2 | Seo Jung-Jin | $11 B | 60 | biotech | Celltrion |
3 | Jae Y. Lee | $7.9 B | 49 | electronics | Samsung |
4 | Suh Kyung-Bae | $7.6 B | 55 | cosmetics | Amorepacific |
5 | Kim Jung-Ju | $7.1 B | 50 | online games | NEXON |
Korea’s Richest Fast Facts:
The Richest: Lee Kun-Hee with $20.6 Billion, Samsung
Top 50 Total Net Worth: $132.45 Billion
The Average Age: 58.9 Years Old
The Oldest Age: 80 Years Old ($4.9 Billion, Chung Mong-Koo, Hyundai Motor Group – Korea’s second-biggest family-owned conglomerate | $960 Million Co Yang-Rai, Hankook Tire Co. – Korea’s largest tire manufacturer | $880 Million, Lee Sang-Il – Iljin Global – manufacturer of motor vehicle parts)
The Youngest Age: 38 Years Old ($1.05 Billion, Kim Dae-Il, Pearl Abyss – a game developer based in Korea)
2017 Korea Top 50 Richest:
Rank | Name | Net worth (USD) | Age | Source | Company |
1 | Lee Kun-Hee | $20.6 B | 76 | electronics | Samsung C&T |
2 | Seo Jung-Jin | $11 B | 60 | biotech | Celltrion |
3 | Jae Y. Lee | $7.9 B | 49 | electronics | Samsung Electronics |
4 | Suh Kyung-Bae | $7.6 B | 55 | cosmetics | Amorepacific |
5 | Kim Jung-Ju | $7.1 B | 50 | online games | NEXON |
6 | Chung Mong-Koo | $4.9 B | 80 | motor vehicles | Hyundai Motor |
7 | Chey Tae-Won | $4.7 B | 57 | IT, telecom | SK Holdings |
8 | Kwon Hyuk-Bin | $4.3 B | 44 | online games | Smilegate Holdings |
9 | Bang Jun-Hyuk | $2.9 B | 50 | online gaming | Netmarble |
10 | Lim Sung-Ki | $2.85 B | 78 | pharmaceuticals | Hanmi Holdings |
11 | Park Yeon-Cha | $2.75 B | 72 | sneakers | Taekwang Industrial |
12 | Chung Eui-Sun | $2.7 B | 47 | logistics | Hyundai Motor |
13 | Kim Beom-Su | $2.6 B | 52 | online services | Kakao |
14 | Shin Chang-Jae | $2.3 B | 64 | insurance | Kyobo Life Insurance |
15 | Lee Myung-Hee | $2.25 B | 74 | retail | Shinsegae |
16 | Lee Boo-Jin | $2.05 B | 47 | computer services, tourism | Samsung C&T |
17 | Park Hyeon-Joo | $2 B | 59 | mutual funds | Mirae Asset |
18 | Lee Jay-Hyun | $1.95 B | 58 | food products, entertainment | CJ Corporation |
19 | Lee Seo-Hyun | $1.9 B | 44 | computer services, tourism | Samsung C&T |
20 | Lee Joong-Keun | $1.8 B | 77 | construction, real estate | Booyoung Group |
21 | Kim Jun-Ki | $1.65 B | 73 | diversified | Db Insurance |
22 | Lee Ho-Jin | $1.55 B | 55 | diversified | Taekwang Industrial |
23 | Chang Pyung-Soon | $1.54 B | 67 | educational services | Kyowon Group |
24 | Kim Taek-Jin | $1.53 B | 51 | online games | NCSOFT Corporation |
25 | Chey Ki-Won | $1.5 B | 53 | computer services, telecom | SK Holdings |
26 | Chung Yong-Jin | $1.49 B | 49 | retail | Shinsegae |
27 | Hur Young-In | $1.47 B | 69 | bakeries, fast food | Paris-Croissant Food |
28 | Cho Jung-Ho | $1.42 B | 59 | finance | Meritz Financial Group |
29 | Chung Mong-Joon | $1.4 B | 66 | shipbuilding, industrial machines | Hyundai Heavy Industries |
30 | Lee Hwa-Kyung | $1.3 B | 62 | snack foods | Orion Holdings |
31 | Kim Nam-Jung | $1.26 B | 45 | food | Dongwon |
32 | Shin Dong-Guk | $1.2 B | 68 | Pharmaceuticals | Hanyang Precision |
33 | Shin Dong-Bin | $1.19 B | 63 | retail | Lotte Shopping |
34 | Koo Bon-Sik | $1.18 B | 59 | electronics/household products | Heesung |
35 | Lee Joon-Ho | $1.17 B | 53 | online games | NHN Entertainment |
36 | Kenny Park | $1.16 B | 63 | handbag manufacturing | Simone Accessory |
37 | Koo Bon-Neung | $1.15 B | 69 | electronics | Heesung Electronics |
38 | Shin Dong-Joo | $1.12 B | 64 | retail | Lotte Shopping |
39 | Hong Seok-Joh | $1.1 B | 65 | convenience stores | BGF Retail |
40 | Lee Sang-Hyuk | $1.08 B | 47 | investments | Yello Mobile |
41 | Cho Hyun-Joon | $1.07 B | 50 | diversified | Hyosung |
42 | Kim Dae-Il | $1.05 B | 38 | mobile gaming | Pearl Abyss |
43 | Michael Kim | $1.04 B | 54 | Investment | MBK Partners |
44 | Kim Nam-Goo | $1.02 B | 54 | Investment | Korea Investment Holdings |
45 | Koo Bon-Joon | $1 B | 66 | electronics, household products | LG Electronics |
46 | Cho Yang-Rai | $960 M | 80 | tire manufacturing | Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. |
47 | Bom Kim | $950 M | 39 | online retailing | Coupang |
48 | Lee Hae-Jin | $940 M | 50 | Internet | Naver |
49 | Sang-Rok Lee | $930 M | 43 | cosmetics | Carver Korea |
50 | Lee Sang-Il | $880 M | 80 | car parts | Iljin Global |
*Data 6th June 2018
Source: Caproasia Institute, Forbes
2017 Rich List – Southeast Asia
- 2017 Singapore Top 50 Richest
- 2017 Indonesia Top 50 Richest
- 2017 Malaysia Top 50 Richest
- 2017 Thailand Top 50 Richest
- 2017 Philippines Top 50 Richest
2017 Rich List – North Asia
- 2017 Hong Kong Top 50 Richest
- 2017 China Top 50 Richest
- 2017 India Top 50 Richest
- 2017 Japan Top 50 Richest
- 2017 Taiwan Top 50 Richest
- 2017 Korea Top 50 Richest
2017 Rich List – Global
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