Lee Dong-chae
Lee Dong-chae | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 10, 1959 Pohang, South Korea |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Eco Pro |
Lee Dong-chae (; born December 10, 1959) is a prominent South Korean entrepreneur and the founder of , holding the largest ownership stake at 18.83% as of 2024. According to Forbes' December 2024 assessment, his net worth stands at approximately US$1.7 billion, ranking him as the 16th wealthiest individual in South Korea.
Biography
Originating from Pohang as the second child among eight siblings, Lee completed his education at and obtained a degree in business administration from Yeungnam University. His early career included positions at and Samsung Electronics prior to becoming a licensed certified public accountant. In 1998, he established the company that would evolve into Eco Pro (코리아제오륨), adopting its current name in 2001. By 2004, the firm had diversified into trading battery precursors, a significant sector for its growth, and subsequently went public on the KOSDAQ market in 2007.
Lee resigned from his CEO role in March 2022 amid investigations related to insider trading. In May 2023, he was found guilty of insider trading involving ₩1.1 billion, resulting in a total fine of ₩3.3 billion and a prison sentence of 15 months. The Supreme Court upheld this verdict upon appeal; however, he was granted a special pardon and released in August 2024, after which he resumed an advisory position at Eco Pro.
Shortly following his release in late 2024, Eco Pro became subject to investigations concerning alleged illicit slush funds connected to tax evasion.
Personal life
Lee is married to Kim Ae-hee (), and they have two children: Lee Seung-hwan (; born 1989) and Lee Yeon-su (; born 1991). Both offspring are graduates of Yonsei University and currently hold executive roles within Eco Pro.