Hong Ra-hee (right), honorary chairman of the Leeum Museum of Art, disposed of Samsung Electronics shares worth 2 trillion won, while Chairman Lee Jae-yong maintained his "zero share sale" strategy to protect his control over the group. [Photo=Samsung]

The protracted payment of inheritance tax, amounting to approximately 12 trillion won, by the Samsung owner family, which has been ongoing for five years since the passing of the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee, will conclude in April. 

According to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system, Hong Ra-hee, honorary chairman of the Leeum Museum of Art, entered into a securities disposal trust agreement with Shinhan Bank for 15 million shares of Samsung Electronics on the 9th. 

Based on the closing price of 139,000 won on the contract date, the transaction size reaches approximately 2.085 trillion won. The disposal deadline is June 30th, and upon completion of the sale, Hong's stake in Samsung Electronics will decrease by 0.25%, from 1.49% to 1.23%. 

Hong Ra-hee's decision to dispose of shares in installments through a trust by June is intended to prevent stock price volatility due to such a large-scale sale. 

Unlike Hong Ra-hee and her daughters, Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun, who funded the tax payments through share sales and stock-backed loans, Chairman Lee Jae-yong has maintained his "zero share sale" strategy to preserve his control over the group. 

By fully preserving his stake, which sits at the apex of the group's governance structure—Samsung C&T → Samsung Life Insurance → Samsung Electronics—he has effectively prevented any shake-ups in management. 

Chairman Lee, who is managing the company without remuneration, has been covering the annual inheritance tax of approximately 500 billion won solely through dividends received from affiliates (Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, Samsung Life Insurance, etc.) and personal credit loans. 

The business community views this inheritance tax payment process as a result of meticulous role division among the owner family. 

A business insider commented, "The concerns about large-scale share sales that have been weighing down the market have now disappeared, which will have a positive impact on stock prices. With the financial burden and uncertainties resolved, Chairman Lee is expected to engage in active management, including expanding into future new businesses such as AI and bio, and pursuing large-scale M&A." 

Reporter Lim Yo-hee