The family of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee has officially completed the payment of a historic inheritance tax totaling 8 billion dollars (12 trillion won). This figure represents the largest inheritance tax settlement ever recorded in South Korea. The payments were structured over a five-year period and fulfilled in six installments, following the chairman's passing in 2020, at which time he was the nation's wealthiest individual.

To cover the immense tax liability, the heirs utilized various financial strategies. Hong Ra-hee, the mother of current Samsung leader Lee Jae-yong, divested a portion of her personal shares in the corporation. Additionally, the family reduced their overall tax burden by donating hundreds of millions of dollars to medical research and healthcare institutions. They also gifted a massive private collection of over 23,000 artworks to the state, significantly enriching the country's national cultural heritage.

The recent surge in global demand for memory chips, particularly those used in artificial intelligence applications, played a crucial role in stabilizing the company's market value during this period. This economic growth allowed the family to settle their legal obligations without being forced into a major liquidation of core business assets. At the time of his death, Lee Kun-hee's fortune was estimated at approximately 21 billion dollars, a valuation that triggered the maximum tax rates under South Korean law.

South Korea maintains some of the world's most rigorous inheritance laws, with tax rates reaching up to 60% for major estates. The total amount paid by the Samsung heirs in 2024 alone accounted for nearly half of the entire nation's inheritance tax revenue for the year. The successful completion of these payments marks a significant milestone for both the corporation and the South Korean treasury, demonstrating the intersection of corporate governance and national fiscal policy.