A government ethics committee disclosed the assets of 362 senior public officials, with South Korea's ambassador to China, Ro Jae-hun, leading with 53 billion won in wealth. The release was delayed by about four months due to a fire at a state data center in September. The list covers officials whose positions changed between July and November last year.
On Friday, January 30, a government ethics committee disclosed the personal assets of 362 senior public officials in South Korea. Seoul's ambassador to Beijing, Ro Jae-hun, topped the list with total assets worth 53 billion won ($34.8 million), including 13.2 billion won in real estate and 21.3 billion won in securities.
Ro, the son of the late former President Roh Tae-woo, assumed office in October last year. Ranking second was Lee Chan-jin, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, with 38.4 billion won in assets, comprising 31 billion won in bank deposits and 2.95 billion won in real estate. Lee stated that he sold all his stocks in South Korean-listed companies, originally worth 1.36 billion won, upon taking office in August.
The disclosures also featured Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young with 23.8 billion won in assets and Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook, former CEO of online portal Naver, with 22.1 billion won. Public officials' assets are typically disclosed at the end of each month, but this announcement was delayed by about four months due to a fire at a state data center in September that disrupted government services.
The list pertains to senior officials whose positions changed between July and November last year, aiming to promote transparency in public service.
