Owner family members of South Korea's large business groups earned an average of 2.7 billion won ($1.83 million) in salary last year, with Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn topping the list at 24.8 billion won. Data compiled by corporate tracker CEO Score showed a 6.9 percent rise from the previous year for owner families. Employees, excluding executives, averaged 101.2 million won, up 11.1 percent.
Data compiled by corporate tracker CEO Score from financial reports of 460 affiliates under 81 business groups showed that owner family members averaged 2.7 billion won in 2025, a 6.9 percent increase from the year before.
Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn received the highest at 24.8 billion won combined from five affiliates. Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin earned 19.1 billion won, followed by Doosan Group Chairman Park Jeong-won with 18.1 billion won, CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun with 17.7 billion won, and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung with 17.5 billion won.
Samsung Group chief Lee Jae-yong has worked without pay since 2017, according to earlier reports. Employees excluding executives averaged 101.2 million won, significantly lower than owner family pay.
The data was released on April 15, highlighting compensation structures at major conglomerates.
