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Hae-jin
Lee Hae-jin
Rank #2638
SOUTH KOREA•Telecom•Internet

Lee Hae-jin

Net Worth
$1.483B
-8.25% (24h)
Lee Hae-jin, a South Korean internet entrepreneur, is the co-founder of Naver, South Korea's leading search engine and digital services platform. Born in 1967, Lee's career began in 1992 at Samsung SDS, later leading him to establish Naver in 1999. His vision transformed Naver into a dominant force in the Korean internet market, competing with global giants. Lee's primary wealth source is his stake in Naver Corporation, with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion as of March 2026. He returned as Chairman of Naver in March 2025 to spearhead the company's AI initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to innovation and growth.

How to read Lee Hae-jin's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Lee Hae-jin, we anchor the narrative to Internet and Internet, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $1.483B alongside global rank #2638, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (SOUTH KOREA) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life and Education

Lee Hae-jin was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 22, 1967. His father was a prominent executive at Samsung Life Insurance, influencing his entry into the tech sector. He earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Seoul National University in 1990 and a Master of Science from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 1992. His academic background provided him with the necessary expertise to navigate the rapidly evolving internet landscape.

Rise to Success

Lee's professional journey began in 1992 at Samsung SDS. In 1997, he won an internal venture contest, which laid the groundwork for Naver's search technology. He founded Naver Corporation in June 1999. Naver quickly grew to become South Korea's top portal. In 2004, Naver merged with online gaming firm Hangame to form NHN Corporation, where Lee served as President and Co-Chairman. He became Chairman of Naver in 2013 and also chaired Line Corporation, driving international expansion through the Line messaging app. Line's 2016 IPO raised $1 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Lee focused on localization and user experience to gain market share in South Korea. Reinvesting profits into messaging, content, and fintech deepened user engagement. The 2021 SoftBank joint venture consolidated regional assets. His focus on AI since 2025 suggests a shift toward high-margin, scalable technologies. Lee's ownership stake in Naver has been a primary wealth driver. The Line IPO in 2016 was a key milestone, validating the global potential of Naver's ecosystem.

Philanthropy

Lee's philanthropic efforts are relatively understated compared to other tech billionaires. Naver's CSR programs focus on digital literacy and youth education. This approach may reflect cultural norms in South Korea, prioritizing corporate social responsibility over personal giving.

Career Timeline

2025

Returned as Chairman of Naver

To spearhead the company's AI initiatives.

2016

Line IPO

The messaging app Line went public and raised $1 billion.

2013

Chairman of Naver

Led the company's expansion and international efforts.

1999

Founded Naver Corporation

Established South Korea's first major homegrown internet company.

1997

Winner of Samsung SDS internal venture challenge

Developed the foundational search service for Naver.

Philanthropic Impact

Corporate Social ResponsibilityUndisclosed

Digital Literacy and Youth Education

Naver's CSR programs focus on these areas.

Medical Research$30M

Seoul National University Donation

In July 2023, Naver donated to Seoul National University Hospital for a digital bio research support project.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Naver Corporation3.74%—

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life and Education

Lee Hae-jin was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 22, 1967. His father was a prominent executive at Samsung Life Insurance, influencing his entry into the tech sector. He earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Seoul National University in 1990 and a Master of Science from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 1992. His academic background provided him with the necessary expertise to navigate the rapidly evolving internet landscape.

Rise to Success

Lee's professional journey began in 1992 at Samsung SDS. In 1997, he won an internal venture contest, which laid the groundwork for Naver's search technology. He founded Naver Corporation in June 1999. Naver quickly grew to become South Korea's top portal. In 2004, Naver merged with online gaming firm Hangame to form NHN Corporation, where Lee served as President and Co-Chairman. He became Chairman of Naver in 2013 and also chaired Line Corporation, driving international expansion through the Line messaging app. Line's 2016 IPO raised $1 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Lee focused on localization and user experience to gain market share in South Korea. Reinvesting profits into messaging, content, and fintech deepened user engagement. The 2021 SoftBank joint venture consolidated regional assets. His focus on AI since 2025 suggests a shift toward high-margin, scalable technologies. Lee's ownership stake in Naver has been a primary wealth driver. The Line IPO in 2016 was a key milestone, validating the global potential of Naver's ecosystem.

Philanthropy

Lee's philanthropic efforts are relatively understated compared to other tech billionaires. Naver's CSR programs focus on digital literacy and youth education. This approach may reflect cultural norms in South Korea, prioritizing corporate social responsibility over personal giving.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Lee Hae-jin are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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