With the Samsung Group owner family set to complete one of the largest inheritance tax payments in Korea’s history, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong is expected to accelerate future investments based on his stronger control over the group. Hong Ra-hee, the widow of former Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, sold 15 million shares in Samsung Electronics worth nearly 3.1 trillion won ($2.1 billion) in a block deal on Thursday. The sale has reduced Hong’s stake in Samsung Electronics to 1.24 percent from 1.49 percent. The sale was intended to fund inheritance tax payments on assets left by the late chairman. Since his death in 2020, the heirs — Hong and her children Jae-yong, Boo-jin and Seo-hyun — have been in the process of paying 12 trillion won in taxes in six installments, starting in 2021. The process is expected to be completed this month, once Hong uses the proceeds from the latest sale to pay the final installment. The inheritance process strengthened Lee Jae-yong’s grip on Samsung Electronics. Before the late chairman’s death, Hong held a 0.91 percent
