South Korea’s Kospi index climbed to 6,936.9 points on Monday, nearing the 7,000 mark, driven by strong performance in semiconductor stocks and the completion of the Samsung family’s record inheritance tax payment. Samsung Electronics closed at a high of 232,500 KRW (£116.20), with the stock rising 5.4 percent during Monday’s trading session, fueled by strong results from U.S. tech companies and heavy foreign and institutional investment.

Record Inheritance Tax Settled

The Samsung family. Led by Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other family members, including his mother and sisters, has fully paid off a 12 trillion KRW inheritance tax bill. The payment. Made in six installments over the last five years, relates to the estate of the late Lee Kun-hee, who left behind a 26 trillion KRW fortune. Samsung confirmed on Sunday that the final payment had been made, noting the sum is roughly one and a half times the country’s total inheritance tax revenue for 2024. South Korea’s inheritance tax rate is among the highest in the world at 50 percent.

Social Contributions and Philanthropy

Alongside the tax settlement, the Samsung family has made significant philanthropic contributions. The family donated 1 trillion KRW to healthcare initiatives and contributed more than 23,000 artworks to public institutions—collectively known as the “Lee Kun-hee Collection,” valued at up to 10 trillion KRW. In 2021. The family also contributed 700 billion KRW to the National Medical Center to support the construction of Korea’s first specialized infectious disease hospital, set to open in 2030.

Wage Agreement and Employee Benefits

In a separate development. Samsung Electronics and its labor union reached a final agreement on a three-year wage and collective bargaining deal, the agreement includes a 5.1 percent wage increase and the provision of 30 shares of company stock. The plan also includes rehiring employees with three or more children after retirement, a move expected to institutionalize for the first time among major domestic companies. Samsung Electronics announced the signing ceremony on the 5th at its Giheung Campus, attended by NSU Chairman Son Woo-mok and Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (DS) Division People Team Leader Choi Wan-woo.