Korea ESG Evaluation Institute: "Samsung Electronics Outside Director Annual Salary 150 Million KRW... Highest Among Listed Companies"

Employees are moving at Samsung Electronics Seocho Building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 6th, where Samsung Electronics reported a consolidated operating profit of 4.3 trillion KRW for the fourth quarter of last year, a 69% decrease compared to the same period last year. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Korea ESG Evaluation Institute announced on the 10th that among domestic listed companies, Samsung Electronics' outside directors receive the highest annual salary, approximately 150 million KRW.

The Korea ESG Evaluation Institute investigated the 2021 annual salaries of outside directors at the top 100 listed companies. As a result, Samsung Electronics' outside directors received the highest salary of 147.5 million KRW, while Industrial Bank of Korea had the lowest at 29 million KRW.

Companies with outside director salaries exceeding 100 million KRW included Samsung C&T (132.6 million KRW), SK Innovation (122.4 million KRW), SK Telecom (122.2 million KRW), and SK Hynix (117.33 million KRW). By group, SK had the highest average outside director salary at 99.84 million KRW, followed by Samsung (97.62 million KRW), LG (87.44 million KRW), and Hanwha (82.72 million KRW).

The Korea ESG Evaluation Institute stated, "There is a tendency for ESG ratings and outside director salaries to be proportional," but also noted, "If salaries become excessive, it could hinder the independent activities of board members."

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