The family behind South Korean conglomerate Samsung has completed payment of a record inheritance tax bill totaling 12 trillion won (about $8bn), marking the largest such settlement in the history of South Korea.
Chairman Lee Jae-yong, along with family members including his mother Hong Ra-hee and sisters Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun, paid the amount in six installments over five years.
The tax obligation stems from the estate of former chairman Lee Kun-hee, who died in October 2020. His fortune was estimated at around 26 trillion won, including shares, real estate and valuable art collections.
Samsung confirmed that the final installment has now been paid, with the total amount equivalent to roughly one and a half times South Korea’s total inheritance tax revenue for 2024. With a tax rate of about 50%, the country maintains one of the highest inheritance tax levels globally.
The settlement was closely monitored by investors due to concerns it could affect the family’s control over the conglomerate. However, Samsung’s leadership structure remains unchanged.
Part of the late chairman’s estate, including artworks by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí, was donated to institutions such as the National Museum of Korea.
The family’s combined wealth now exceeds $45bn, driven in part by rising demand for semiconductors linked to the global expansion of artificial intelligence. This has boosted the market value of Samsung Electronics, a key arm of the group.
Founded in 1938 by Lee Byung-chul, Samsung has grown into South Korea’s largest chaebol, with operations spanning electronics, construction, heavy industry and financial services.
About the author
Le Togo sensibilise au respect du repos biologique
Les autorités togolaises ont intensifié leur campagne de sensibilisation auprès des acteurs du secteur de la pêche en vue du respect du repos biologique, une mesure appliquée dans les pays du Golfe de Guinée pour préserver les ressources halieutiques et favoriser le renouvellement des espèces marines. Lors d'une rencontre organisée le 16 juin 2026, les responsables du secteur ont rappelé l'importance de cette période de suspension temporaire des activités de pêche. L'objectif est de permettre aux poissons de se reproduire et aux jeunes espèces de se développer dans des conditions favorables, contribuant ainsi à la reconstitution des stocks marins. Selon Ali Domitani, directeur de la production halieutique, cette période correspond à une phase cruciale du cycle de vie des espèces aquatiques. Le respect du repos biologique est donc considéré comme une étape essentielle pour garantir la durabilité des ressources marines […]
Le Togo renforce son rôle dans l’aviation africaine
Le Togo poursuit son engagement en faveur de l’intégration du transport aérien africain. À Lomé, les autorités togolaises et la Commission africaine de l’aviation civile (CAFAC) ont conclu, le 17 juin 2026, un accord destiné à accélérer la mise en œuvre du Marché unique du transport aérien africain (MUTAA). Le document a été signé par le ministre des Transports, Komla Loukou-Kadjé, et la secrétaire générale de la CAFAC, Adefunke Adeyemi. La cérémonie s’est déroulée en marge de la Convention et exposition africaines du transport aérien, qui réunit depuis plusieurs jours à Lomé des acteurs du secteur aéronautique venus de différents pays du continent. À travers cet accord, le Togo renforce sa participation aux initiatives africaines visant à développer un espace aérien plus intégré, plus accessible et plus compétitif. L’objectif est de favoriser une meilleure connectivité entre les États africains tout […]
Le Togo engagé pour la protection des océans
Le Togo prend part à la 11ᵉ Conférence des Nations Unies sur les océans, un événement international consacré à la préservation des espaces marins et à la promotion d’une exploitation durable des ressources océaniques. Cette rencontre, qui s’achève le 18 juin 2026, rassemble des délégations venues du monde entier autour des défis liés à l’avenir des océans. Représenté par des responsables des ministères de l’Environnement et de l’Économie maritime, le Togo participe aux travaux organisés sous le thème « Notre océan, notre patrimoine, notre avenir ». Les discussions portent principalement sur les moyens de transformer les engagements internationaux en actions concrètes capables de protéger les écosystèmes marins tout en soutenant le développement durable. Pour les autorités togolaises, cette conférence constitue une occasion importante de mieux comprendre les enjeux mondiaux liés à la conservation des océans et à la gouvernance des […]
Le Togo renforce son engagement pour les océans
Le Togo participe à la 11ᵉ Conférence des Nations Unies sur les océans, un rendez-vous international consacré à la protection des milieux marins et à la promotion d’une gestion durable des ressources océaniques. L’événement réunit jusqu’au 18 juin 2026 des représentants gouvernementaux, des experts et des organisations engagés dans la préservation des écosystèmes marins. La délégation togolaise est composée de responsables issus des ministères de l’Environnement et de l’Économie maritime. Les échanges s’articulent autour du thème : « Notre océan, notre patrimoine, notre avenir », avec un accent particulier sur la mise en œuvre d’actions concrètes pour répondre aux défis environnementaux qui affectent les océans à l’échelle mondiale. À travers sa participation, le Togo souhaite approfondir sa compréhension des enjeux internationaux liés à la conservation des espaces marins et renforcer ses politiques nationales en matière de protection de l’environnement côtier. […]
Faure Gnassingbé séduit les investisseurs à Rome
À Rome, le Togo a mis en avant ses ambitions économiques et logistiques en cherchant à attirer davantage d'investissements européens et moyen-orientaux. À l'occasion du sommet FII Priority Europe 2026, tenu du 17 au 19 juin dans la capitale italienne, le président du Conseil togolais, Faure Gnassingbé, a présenté sa vision d'un partenariat économique fondé sur des investissements de long terme et la construction de systèmes productifs intégrés. S'exprimant devant un parterre de dirigeants politiques, financiers et industriels internationaux, le responsable togolais a plaidé pour une approche qui dépasse le simple financement d'infrastructures individuelles. Selon lui, les investisseurs doivent contribuer à développer des écosystèmes économiques complets capables de générer une croissance durable à l'échelle régionale. Invité par Yasir Al-Rumayyan, gouverneur du Fonds public d'investissement saoudien (PIF) et président du FII Institute, Faure Gnassingbé a profité de cette tribune pour présenter […]
Apple Signals Product Price Hikes Amid Chip Costs
Apple is preparing to increase the prices of some of its products as rising memory chip costs continue to put pressure on the technology giant's manufacturing expenses. The company's outgoing chief executive, Tim Cook, said soaring memory prices have made it increasingly difficult for Apple to absorb higher production costs, describing the current market situation as unsustainable. Although Cook did not specify when the price increases would take effect, nor identify which products could be affected, his comments have fueled speculation that future Apple devices may carry higher price tags. It remains unclear whether the anticipated iPhone 18 lineup, expected later this year, will be impacted. Memory chips play a critical role in smartphones, computers and other electronic devices. However, growing demand for artificial intelligence technologies has significantly increased the need for advanced memory components, pushing prices sharply higher across […]
Related
US says it needs $80bn for Iran war, other bills
The US Department of Defense has told lawmakers it needs about $80 billion in emergency funding to cover costs from the Iran war as well as other non-war-related bills, according to briefings cited in US media reports. Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg communicated the request to members of Congress in phone calls this week, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the $80 billion figure is now the Pentagon’s target for an urgent supplemental package. The planned request would not be limited to the military alone, as the full US supplemental proposal is expected to include money for the Pentagon alongside non-defense priorities such as farm support and disaster relief. US officials previously indicated that the Iran war has cost around $25 billion so far, marking the first official estimate of the financial toll of the conflict. Earlier projections from […]
US says it needs $80bn for Iran war, other bills
The US Department of Defense has told lawmakers it needs about $80 billion in emergency funding to cover costs from the Iran war as well as other non-war-related bills, according to briefings cited in US media reports. Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg communicated the request to members of Congress in phone calls this week, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the $80 billion figure is now the Pentagon’s target for an urgent supplemental package. The planned request would not be limited to the military alone, as the full US supplemental proposal is expected to include money for the Pentagon alongside non-defense priorities such as farm support and disaster relief. US officials previously indicated that the Iran war has cost around $25 billion so far, marking the first official estimate of the financial toll of the conflict. Earlier projections from […]
14-point US-Iran deal to end war
US President Donald Trump has signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and set a roadmap for a comprehensive peace deal that includes lifting all sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets abroad. The US and Iran, along with their allies in the ongoing conflict, declared an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and agreed not to initiate any warfare or military actions against each other. The MOU commits both nations to honor each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from interference in each other's domestic matters, and negotiate a comprehensive agreement within a maximum of 60 days. Upon signing, the US will begin dismantling its naval blockade against Iran, fully ending the blockade within 30 days, and restore maritime traffic to pre-war levels proportional to […]
Trump defends Iran deal, calls critics ‘fools’
US President Donald Trump has angrily defended his controversial deal with Iran to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lashing out at opponents and branding critics of the agreement as “fools.” The Trump administration this week unveiled a memorandum of understanding with Tehran that provides for an immediate cessation of military hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, alongside a roadmap for further negotiations. Under the interim deal, the US is set to lift its naval blockade on ships entering and leaving Iran within 30 days, while the Treasury Department will issue waivers on Iranian oil exports and move toward lifting sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets in foreign accounts. The agreement also opens the door for up to 300 billion dollars in private investment into Iran’s infrastructure sector, as both sides enter a 60‑day window to finalize talks on […]
US-Iran Deal Leaves Key Issues Unresolved
The newly announced memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has officially taken effect, marking a significant diplomatic step after months of conflict. However, while the agreement restores shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz, many of the most difficult issues remain unresolved and will be the focus of intensive negotiations over the next 60 days. Speaking at the G7 summit in France, US President Donald Trump described the deal as a major achievement and presented it as a breakthrough that could pave the way for a broader peace agreement between Washington and Tehran. Both governments later confirmed that the memorandum had been signed electronically and was now active. Despite the optimism surrounding the announcement, details released by US officials suggest that substantial differences remain between the two sides. One of the central goals of the Trump administration […]
US and Iran Sign Initial Peace Agreement
The United States and Iran have signed a preliminary peace agreement designed to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, with key provisions taking effect immediately. The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a proposed $300 billion reconstruction framework for Iran, and a commitment by Washington to begin lifting all categories of sanctions imposed on Tehran. However, negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme — a central issue behind the conflict — will continue for an initial 60-day period, with the option of extending talks if both sides agree. US President Donald Trump signed the memorandum during the G7 summit in France, describing the agreement as a necessary step to prevent severe global economic disruption. While expressing optimism about the process, Trump warned that military action could resume if the two sides fail to reach a final settlement. Iranian […]