Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong remains the wealthiest individual in South Korea, securing a spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s 100 richest people this year. According to the US magazine, his estimated net worth is $27 billion.
However, the country’s second-richest person, Chung Yong-ji, may be a less familiar name to many Koreans.
Chung Yong-ji, the chief executive of biotech firm Caregen, ranked 268th globally with an impressive net worth of $11.7 billion.
Chung is the founder of Caregen, a South Korean biotechnology company specializing in peptide-based products, including innovative anti-wrinkle treatments and diabetes medications.
His substantial holdings of a 63 percent stake in Caregen are estimated to be worth over 4.4 trillion won ($3.4 billion), based on Tuesday’s closing price of 131,400 won per share.
Several other prominent South Korean business leaders also made their mark on the global rich list.
Seo Jung-jin, the biopharmaceutical entrepreneur and founder of Celltrion, ranked 346th with a net worth of $9.9 billion.
Also featured on the list were Lee Boo-jin, CEO of Hotel Shilla, securing the 353rd position with $9.8 billion, and Chung Mong-koo, honorary chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, who ranked 359th with $9.7 billion.
According to Forbes, Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla, dominated the global ranking, boasting a staggering net worth of $839 billion.
The United States led the list with the highest number of billionaires, totaling 989, including 15 of the top 20. China, encompassing Hong Kong, followed with 610 billionaires, while India secured the third position with 229.
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