According to the Leaders Index, a corporate analysis research institute, Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, received 346.5 billion won in dividends last year, an increase of 22.8 billion won from the previous year (323.7 billion won). This is the largest amount among the owners of major domestic companies.

Chairman Chung Mong-koo of Hyundai Motor Group ranked second with 189.2 billion won in individual dividends. Chairman Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group ranked third with 174.7 billion won. They received 13.1 billion won and 18.3 billion won more in dividends, respectively, than the previous year.

The top 4 to 6 were occupied by the three daughters of the Samsung family. Lee Boo-jin, president of Shilla Hotel, ranked fourth with 148.3 billion won, Hong Ra-hee, former director of the Leeum Museum of Art, ranked fifth with 146.7 billion won, and Lee Seo-hyun, president of Samsung C&T, ranked sixth with 114.5 billion won. They sold some of their shares to pay inheritance tax, resulting in a decrease in dividends compared to the previous year.

In addition, Chairman Choi Tae-won of SK Group (91 billion won), Chairman Koo Kwang-mo of LG Group (77.8 billion won), Chairman Chung Mong-joon of the Asan Foundation (75.6 billion won), and Chairman Kim Nam-ho of DB Group (43.9 billion won) followed in the rankings.

As a result of a survey of 560 companies that announced cash and stock dividends, the total dividend amount in 2024 was 40.709 trillion won. This is a 10.4% increase from the previous year (36.8631 trillion won). The Leaders Index analyzed that "the dividend expansion strategy of companies in line with the government's value-up (corporate value enhancement) policy" had an impact.

By company, Samsung Electronics recorded the largest amount of 9.8107 trillion won. Hyundai Motor (3.1478 trillion won), Kia (2.559 trillion won), and SK Hynix (1.5195 trillion won) followed.

In particular, SK Hynix increased its dividends by 84.1% from the previous year (825.4 billion won), recording the largest increase among the surveyed companies.

Of the surveyed companies, 285 (51%) increased their dividends compared to the previous year, 94 maintained the same level, 181 reduced their dividends, and 54 converted from no dividends in the previous year to dividends. 

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]