Stock Tycoons Soaring in Rankings Amid AI and Bio Boom

Semiconductor Equipment and Bio Companies' Major Shareholders Surge in Ranking
Kwack Dong-shin, Vice Chairman of Hanmi Semiconductor, Stake Rises from 654 Billion to 3.606 Trillion KRW
Ryu Kwang-ji, Chairman of Geumyang; Park Soon-jae, CEO of Alteogen; Lee Chae-yoon, CEO of Rino Industrial, Make Significant Advances

Over the past year, the stock prices of AI and bio-related listed companies in the domestic stock market have surged, leading to the emergence of new names among the top ranks of domestic listed company stock tycoons. Major shareholders of semiconductor equipment companies and new drug development firms have risen into the top 20, surpassing well-known group owners.

According to financial information provider FnGuide on the 13th, the value of shares held by Kwak Dong-shin, Vice Chairman of Hanmi Semiconductor, reached 3.6 trillion KRW based on the closing price on the 11th. The value of Kwak’s holdings increased by about 2.95 trillion KRW in one year. Kwak’s ranking among stock tycoons rose 31 places compared to a year ago. He surpassed Kim Beom-su, founder of Kakao and chairman of the CA Council, and Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE, to rank 8th among stock tycoons.

The stock price of Hanmi Semiconductor surged 540% in one year, thanks to growth and continuous efforts to enhance shareholder value. The development of equipment necessary for AI semiconductor manufacturing processes and supply to SK Hynix positively influenced the stock price. In January, Hanmi Semiconductor signed a supply contract worth 86 billion KRW with SK Hynix for the third-generation hyper model 'Dual TC Bonder Griffin' used in the production of high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Expecting steady growth in the AI semiconductor market, Hanmi Semiconductor decided to retire treasury shares worth 20 billion KRW. Along with the treasury share retirement, the company also confirmed a cash dividend plan. It plans the largest dividend in its history, with 420 KRW per share and a total dividend of 40.7 billion KRW. A company official explained, "This decision was made based on confidence in future value."

Among the notable stock tycoons with changes in the top rankings are Lee Dong-chae, former chairman of EcoPro; Ryu Kwang-ji, chairman of Kumyang; Park Soon-jae, CEO of Alteogen; Lee Chae-yoon, CEO of Lino Industrial; and Jin Yang-gon, chairman of HLB.

EcoPro’s stock price, which rose sharply in the first half of last year, has shown a sluggish performance this year. The value of shares held by former chairman Lee, who ranks in the top 10 stock tycoons, increased by 90% to 2.9337 trillion KRW compared to a year ago. The value of Kumyang shares held by Chairman Ryu is 2.8789 trillion KRW, closely trailing Lee. Kumyang’s stock price rose more than 160% compared to a year ago. At 'InterBattery 2024,' Korea’s largest battery industry exhibition, Kumyang unveiled a cylindrical battery measuring only 46 mm in diameter and 95 mm in length. Expectations for excellent performance have driven the stock price to surge this month, increasing the value of Chairman Ryu’s holdings.

While EcoPro and Kumyang, which belong to the secondary battery value chain, were the most notable listed companies in the stock market last year, Alteogen and HLB are bio-listed companies whose stock prices have surged this year. Alteogen’s stock price has nearly doubled this year, and its market capitalization surpassed 10 trillion KRW.

Last month, Alteogen signed a license amendment contract with the global pharmaceutical company Merck (MSD) of the United States. Securities firms have analyzed that the exclusive contract for the immuno-oncology drug ‘Keytruda SC’ will generate annual cash flows exceeding 1 trillion KRW. Previously, the contract was non-exclusive, but it was changed to an exclusive contract, resulting in additional upfront payments and milestone payments (additional payments based on development stages). The value of shares held by CEO Park rose from 362.3 billion KRW a year ago to 1.8371 trillion KRW. His ranking among stock tycoons also rose 52 places.

HLB’s stock price also rose 97% this year. Its market capitalization is 13 trillion KRW, ranking third in the KOSDAQ market. The value of shares held by Chairman Jin increased from 344 billion KRW a year ago to 996 billion KRW. He ranks 25th among stock tycoons, following Lee Hae-jin, founder of Naver.

The value of shares held by major shareholders of Lino Industrial, Soulbrain, and EO Technics, whose stock prices rose due to expectations of increased AI semiconductor demand, also increased significantly. Their stock prices rose 71%, 127%, and 159%, respectively, compared to a year ago. The value of shares held by CEO Lee, who ranked in the top 20 stock tycoons, increased to 1.2813 trillion KRW. The value of shares held by Soulbrain Chairman Jung Ji-wan and EO Technics CEO Sung Kyu-dong reached 921.4 billion KRW and 646 billion KRW, respectively.