Last year, Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, received the highest dividends in the country.
According to the corporate analysis research firm Leaders Index, as of April 14, a total of 560 corporations' cash and stock dividends were analyzed, revealing that a total of 40.709 trillion won in dividends was paid last year. This reflects an increase of 3.8458 trillion won (10.4%) compared to the previous year (36.8631 trillion won).
Leaders Index analyzed that SK hynix significantly boosted its dividends nearly twofold based on its record performance. It also explained that other corporations' initiatives to expand dividends were influenced by the government's corporate value enhancement policy.
The number of corporations that increased their dividends reached 285, accounting for 51% of the total. Meanwhile, 94 corporations (16.7%) maintained their dividends, while 181 corporations (32.3%) reduced them. Additionally, among the corporations that did not pay dividends in 2023, 54 were found to have paid dividends the previous year.
Among individuals, Lee Jae-yong received 346.5 billion won, making him the highest recipient of dividends. This is an increase of 22.8 billion won compared to the previous year. Chung Mong-koo, honorary chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, received 189.2 billion won, while Yoon Chung-min, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, received 174.7 billion won.
The three daughters of the Samsung family also ranked 4th to 6th. Lee Boo-jin, president of Shilla Hotel, received 148.3 billion won; Hong Ra-hee, former director of Leeum Museum, received 146.7 billion won; and Lee Seo-hyun, president of Samsung C&T, received 114.5 billion won. Their figures decreased compared to the previous year as they sold some equity to pay inheritance taxes.
Following them were Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, at 91 billion won; Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group, at 77.8 billion won; Chung Mong-joon, chairman of the Asan Foundation, at 75.6 billion won; and Kim Nam-ho, chairman of DB Group, at 43.9 billion won.
Last year, seven corporations, including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, Kia, SK hynix, KB Financial Group, Shinhan Financial Group, and Hana Financial Group, paid dividends exceeding 1 trillion won. Among these, SK hynix showed the largest increase in dividends (84.1%) compared to the previous year.