"A child who isn't even potty-trained is a CEO earning 100 million won" ... More than 20 'silver-spoon' minor CEOs

[Financial News] More than 20 minor business representatives in South Korea earn annual salaries of at least 100 million won, with the group including preschool children aged 0 to 5.
According to the "2021–2025 Distribution of Compensation Among Minor Business Representatives by Age Group" data obtained from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) by Moon Jin-seok of the Democratic Party of Korea, a member of the National Assembly Planning and Finance Committee, there were 1,909 business representatives aged 18 or younger nationwide during the period, averaging 382 per year.
The statistics cover only those enrolled in health insurance as employee-based subscribers. By age group, those aged 11 to 15 accounted for the largest number, averaging 151 per year, followed by 129 aged 16 to 18, 81 aged 6 to 10, and 22 aged 0 to 5.
By income, 21 business representatives earned more than 100 million won annually. Those aged 11 to 15 again made up the largest group, with 12 representatives, followed by six aged 16 to 18 and two aged 6 to 10. The group also included one representative aged 0 to 5. Another 43 earned more than 50 million won but no more than 100 million won, while 318 minor representatives earned 50 million won or less annually.
Seoul had the largest number by region, with 237 representatives, followed by Gyeonggi Province with 69, Incheon Metropolitan City with 23, and Busan with 19. Among those earning more than 100 million won annually, Seoul ranked first with 12, followed by Incheon Metropolitan City with four, Gyeonggi Province with three, Busan with one, and South Gyeongsang Province with one. The remaining 11 cities and provinces had no minor representatives earning more than 100 million won annually.
Real estate leasing involving commercial properties, officetels, homes, and other buildings inherited from parents or grandparents accounted for the largest share. Among the 100 highest-earning minor business representatives from 2021 to 2025, 95—an annual average of 19—were engaged in real estate, leasing, or business services. Wholesale and retail trade and the repair of consumer goods accounted for four, while manufacturing accounted for one.
Moon Jin-seok criticized the situation, saying, "The fact that a child who has not even been potty-trained is a CEO earning 100 million won annually reflects the current state of inequality in our society." He added, "The National Tax Service (NTS) and the NHIS need to jointly examine the situation to determine whether this involves tax-avoidance transfers of wealth or income splitting through family corporations."
[email protected] Kim Hee-seon Reporter