Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Electronics, moved down eight notches to 110th place in Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s richest people, becoming South Korea's wealthiest person.
Lee's net worth is estimated at $11.3 billion, Forbes said.
Lee Jay-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics and heir apparent to its parent Samsung Group, and Suh Kyung-bae, chairman of Amore Pacific Group, a cosmetic and beauty product maker, tied for 185th place on the list of Forbes's World Billionaires 2015 with $7.2 billion.
Chung Mong-koo, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, came in 259th with $5.7 billion, becoming the fourth richest person in South Korea.
Seven other South Koreans joined the ranks of the world's top billionaires with a net worth of $2 billion or more. They are:
-Chung Eui-sun, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Co. and son of the Hyundai Motor group chairman, with $3.8 billion.
-SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won with $3.5 billion.
-Kim Beom-soo, chairman of Daum-Kakao's board of directors, with $2.9 billion.
-Kyobo Life Insurance Chairman Shin Chang-jae with $2.9 billion.
-Hotel Shilla President Lee Boo-jin with $2.2 billion.
-CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun with $2.2 billion.
-Cheil Industries President Lee Seo-hyun with $2.1 billion.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates took the No. 1 spot in Forbes's billionaires list with for the second consecutive year in 2015 with $79.2 billion, up $3.2 billion from the previous year.
Mexican telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helu remained at No. 2. Famed U.S. investor Warren Buffett placed third, and Spanish clothing magnate Amancio Ortega, known for the Zara retail chain, came in fourth.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
