April 19, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee saw his stock value surge 29 percent to 14 trillion won (US$12 billion) this year, according to Chaebul.com, a market tracker, on Dec. 11. 

The combined value of stocks held by the Samsung patriarch was at 14.44 trillion won as of Dec. 9, up 28.9 percent or 3.23 trillion won, since Jan. 4. 

He owns 3.52 percent stake in Samsung Electronics alone. He has been bedridden since May 2014 after suffering a severe heart attack. 

Despite the unprecedented recall of the company’s latest flagship phone Galaxy Note 7 in October, the Samsung stock has been rallying on expectations about enhanced shareholder policies and upbeat outlook for chip business. 

In the meantime, the chairman’s only son and heir apparent  Lee Jae-yong suffered a 13.3 percent dip in his stock value at 6.59 trillion won as Samsung C&T, the group’s de facto holding firm, declined. 

He owns 0.57 percent in Samsung Electronics and 17.23 percent in Samsung C&T. 

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)