Ambassador Noh Jae-heon, who took office in October last year as ambassador to China, ranked No. 1 in assets among incumbent senior public officials. Noh, the eldest son of Roh Tae-woo, reported assets exceeding 53 billion won.
The Government Public Officials Ethics Committee disclosed the asset registrations (as of July 2 to Nov. 1 last year) of 189 senior public officials whose status changed due to appointment, promotion, or position change.
Among incumbent senior public officials, the person with the most assets was Ambassador Noh, who reported a total of 53.04462 billion won. The largest category was securities, totaling 21.3 billion won under the names of himself, his mother, and his eldest son. He invested in U.S. stocks such as Microsoft and Nvidia, the iShares China Large-Cap ETF, and unlisted shares including Neotriton and SP Technology.
He reported buildings worth about 13.2 billion won. He owns mixed-use buildings in Yeonhui-dong and Itaewon-dong in Seoul and a single-family house in Gugi-dong, and is living on a jeonse lease in a multi-family house in Dongbinggo-dong. A single-family house and an officetel in Yeonhui-dong under his mother's name were also included in the asset list. In addition, deposits of 12.6 billion won, bonds of 4.3 billion won, and land of 1.1 billion won followed.
Ranked second was Lee Chan-jin, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service under the Financial Services Commission, who reported a total of 38.48875 billion won. Deposits were the largest at 31 billion won, followed by buildings (two apartments and two commercial units) at 2.95206 billion won, bonds at 2.0892 billion won, and securities at 1.36099 billion won. Lee said, "I sold all domestic listed shares and corporate bonds after taking office."
Third was former president of the Korea National University of Arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kim Dae-jin, who reported a total of 34.27732 billion won. Although he stepped down as president, he works as a current professor and was listed in the ranking of incumbent senior public officials by assets. Securities under his wife's and mother's names accounted for the largest share at 18.40809 billion won, and deposits under his name were 13.29779 billion won. Debt was tallied at 5.9 billion won.