Ranked: Wealthiest People in South Korea for 2021 – Richest Billionaires

With a net worth of roughly US$12.5 billion, Celltrion Chairman Seo Jung-jin is the wealthiest person in South Korea for 2021. The number of South Korean billionaires increased sharply from 28 in 2020 to 46 this year.

This year, Samsung Group Chairman Lee Jae-yong (Jay Y. Lee) is the second-richest person in South Korea, with assets valued at $12.4 billion, followed by the CEO of gaming firm Nexon’s holding company NXC, Kim Jung-ju with $10.9 billion coming in third and the chairman of Kakao Kim Beom-soo with $10.6 billion at fourth place.

Top 46 billionaires in South Korea in 2021, by net worth (in billion U.S. dollars)

1. Seo Jung-jin (US$12.5 billion; biotech, Celltrion)
2. Jay Y. Lee (US$12.4 billion; Samsung, Samsung Electronics)
3. Kim Jung-ju (US$10.9 billion; online games, Nexon)
4. Kim Beom-su (US$10.6 billion; online services, Kakao)
5. Kwon Hyuk-bin (US$9.5 billion; online games, Smilegate Holdings)
6. Hong Ra-hee (US$7.1 billion; Samsung)
7. Bom Kim (US$6.4 billion; online retailing, Coupang)
8. Mong-Koo Chung (US$5.9 billion; Hyundai, Hyundai Motor)
9. Lee Boo-jin (US$4.9 billion; Samsung, Hotel Shilla)
10. Suh Kyung-bae (US$4.8 billion; cosmetics, Amorepacific)
11. Lee Seo-hyun (US$4.4 billion; Samsung, Samsung C&T)
12. Euisun Chung (US$3.9 billion; Hyundai, Hyundai Motor)
13. Michael Kim (US$3.6 billion; private equity, MBK Partners)
14. Chey Tae-won (US$3.4 billion; oil, semiconductor, SK Holdings)
15. Koo Kwang-mo (US$3.3 billion; LG)
16. Bang Shi-hyuk (US$2.7 billion; entertainment)
17. Kim Taek-jin (US$2.6 billion; online games, NCSOFT)
18. Bang Jun-hyuk (US$2.4 billion; online gaming)
19. Lee Hae-jin (US$2.3 billion; Internet, Naver)
20. Kim Sang-yeol (US$2 billion; construction)
21. Cho Jung-ho (US$1.95 billion; finance, Meritz Financial Group)
22. Lee Joong-keun (US$1.9 billion; construction, real estate, Booyoung Group)
23. Chung Yong-jin (US$1.8 billion; retail, Shinsegae)
24. Lee Joon-ho (US$1.7 billion; online games, NHN Entertainment)
25. Koo Bon-sik (US$1.65 billion; LG, Heesung)
26. Koo Bon-joon (US$1.6 billion; electronics, household products, LG Electronics)
27. Kim Jun-ki (US$1.58 billion; diversified, Db Insurance)
28. Shin Chang-jae (US$1.54 billion; insurance, Kyobo Life Insurance)
29. Chang Pyung-soon (US$1.52 billion; educational services, Kyowon Group)
30. Lee Ho-jin (US$1.5 billion; diversified, Taekwang Industrial)
31. Koo Bon-neung (US$1.49 billion; electronics, Heesung Electronics)
32. Kim Chang-soo (US$1.46 billion; apparel)
33. Huh Jae-myung (US$1.45 billion; electric components)
34. Chung Mong-joon (US$1.43 billion; shipbuilding, industrial machines, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering)
35. Park Hyeon-joo (US$1.36 billion; mutual funds, Mirae Asset)
36. Kim Nam-jung (US$1.35 billion; food)
37. Lee Jay-hyun (US$1.34 billion; food products, entertainment, CJ Corporation)
38. Hong Seok-joh (US$1.25 billion; convenience stores, BGF Co. Ltd.)
39. Chey Ki-won (US$1.23 billion; computer services, telecom, SK Holdings)
40. Lee Sang-il (US$1.21 billion; car parts, Iljin Global)
41. Kim Nam-goo (US$1.2 billion; Korea Investment Holdings)
42. Kim Dae-il (US$1.18 billion; mobile gaming)
43. Kim Jung-woong (US$1.15 billion; cosmetics)
44. Gim Seong-gon (US$1.1 billion; renewable energy)
45. Shin Dong-guk (US$1.05 billion; Pharmaceuticals, Hanyang Precision)
46. Shin Dong-joo (US$1 billion; retail, Lotte Shopping)

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