Samsung Heir Family to Sell $1.22B Shares Amid Tax Burden

In a move drawing attention across financial markets, the mother and two sisters of Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee are preparing to sell shares worth approximately 1.73 trillion won ($1.22 billion). According to a recent regulatory filing with the Korea Exchange, the sale involves 17.7 million shares, representing around 0.3% of the tech giant.

The primary purpose behind this sale is to cover inheritance tax obligations and repay outstanding loans. Experts note that the Lee family is managing tax responsibilities following the death of Samsung patriarch Lee Kun-hee in 2020, with inheritance taxes estimated at roughly 12 trillion won.

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The shares will be sold through Shinhan Bank under a trust contract, with completion expected by next April. The timing comes as Samsung’s stock price continues to climb, recently gaining 0.2% to 97,900 won. Year-to-date, the stock has surged more than 84%, bolstered by supply deals with Tesla, OpenAI, and the expectation of providing high-bandwidth memory products to Nvidia.

Despite the strong market performance, the planned sale could influence investor sentiment. Analysts point out that Samsung’s previous 10 trillion won share buyback plan was partly aimed at maintaining stock value, which in turn helps the family manage large tax payments. With shares nearing the symbolic 100,000-won milestone, the move highlights the practical realities of balancing family obligations with market expectations.

For millions of retail shareholders, Samsung remains a “national stock,” and any shift in the family’s holdings naturally attracts attention. The unfolding sale underscores both the growth of Samsung’s global influence and the financial pressures faced by its founding family.