Lee’s assets rise to $3.73 mil., driven by book royalties
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seok
President Lee Jae Myung reported total assets of 4.97 billion won ($3.73 million) as of Dec. 31, 2025, marking an increase of 1.88 billion won from the 3.08 billion won he reported a year earlier, according to data released Thursday by the Government Public Officials Ethics Committee.
More than 1.5 billion won came from royalties generated by his books, including “Eventually, the People Do It.”
The largest increase was seen in deposits, which rose from 1.58 billion won to 3.06 billion won, up by about 1.48 billion won. Lee cited “royalties, salary, and ETF (exchange-traded fund) valuation gains” as reasons for the change in his assets.
Royalties exceed 1.56 billion won amid strong book sales
Lee reported income of 1.56 billion won from publishing copyrights, most of which appears to have been converted into deposits. A presidential office official said “book sales surged before and after Lee’s election,” contributing to the rise.
His book “Eventually, the People Do It,” published in April last year and reflecting on the process of overcoming the Dec. 3, 2024, martial law crisis, is priced at 22,000 won per copy. Assuming a royalty rate of 10 to 20 percent, estimates suggest that between 355,000 and 710,000 copies were sold. Publisher Ohmybook previously said sales had surpassed 200,000 copies as of May last year, and industry officials said additional sales, including e-books, likely added significantly to the total.
The front cover of “Eventually, the People Do It,” a book by President Lee Jae Myung / Korea Times file
ETF gains, wedding gifts also boost assets
Gains from ETF investments also contributed. Lee had pledged during his presidential campaign to invest in ETFs, initially purchasing 40 million won worth and committing to invest a total of 100 million won over five years. With the KOSPI index rising from 2,670 points in late May last year to around 4,200 points by year-end, the investment likely generated notable returns reflected in his deposits.
Lee’s salary also contributed to his asset increase. His annual presidential salary last year was about 262 million won, and he earned around 160 million won as a lawmaker before June. In addition, he reported a 250 million won increase in cash, citing “family events,” which included monetary gifts from his eldest son’s wedding in June.
The officially assessed value of an apartment owned by Lee and the first lady in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, rose from 1.45 billion won to 1.68 billion won. The property was recently listed for sale at 2.9 billion won.
Lee also reported selling a 2024 Genesis G80 vehicle valued at 84 million won. He declared 700 million won in private loans receivable, while liabilities totaled 1.41 billion won, including a 1.13 billion won lease deposit on the Bundang apartment. His eldest son also reported purchasing 40 million won worth of cryptocurrency through an exchange last year.
President Lee Jae Myung attends a senior aides meeting at the presidential office, March 19. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seok
Senior aides report wide range of assets
Among senior presidential aides, Kang Hoon-sik, presidential chief of staff, reported assets of 810 million won, up by 90 million won from a year earlier. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac reported 6.14 billion won, an increase of 470 million won, while Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom reported 4.52 billion won, up by 300 million won.
Several aides reported assets exceeding 5 billion won. Legal Affairs Secretary Lee Jang-hyung reported 13.41 billion won, Public Relations Secretary Lee Min-joo reported 7.98 billion won, Press Center Director Kim Sang-ho reported 5.99 billion won, Civil Affairs Secretary Lee Tae-hyung reported 5.9 billion won and Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Moon Jin-young reported 5.71 billion won.
Lee Jang-hyung’s assets rose sharply due to gains in Tesla stock holdings. The value of shares he owns increased by 2.09 billion won over the past year, while holdings owned by his son and daughter each rose by 1.06 billion won, bringing total stock valuation gains to 4.21 billion won.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.