LeaderPortfolio
Jung-hyun
Yoo Jung-hyun
Rank #1944
SOUTH KOREATechnologyOnline games

Yoo Jung-hyun

Net Worth
$2.118B
+0.05% (24h)
Yoo Jung-hyun is a prominent South Korean businesswoman and auditor, best known as the widow of Kim Jung-ju, the founder of the online gaming giant Nexon. With a net worth of $2.5 billion as of March 2026, she holds a significant stake in NXC, the holding company of Nexon, which she co-founded with her husband in 1994. She has served as a director of NXC and Nexon and became the chairperson of the board of directors at NXC in May 2024. Yoo's career in the media-entertainment industry has seen her involved in the strategic direction of Nexon following her husband's passing, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to the company's long-term success.

How to read Yoo Jung-hyun'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 Yoo Jung-hyun, we anchor the narrative to Online games and Online games, 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 $2.118B alongside global rank #1944, 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

Yoo Jung-hyun was born on April 16, 1969. She met her future husband, Kim Jung-ju, at a ski resort when he was a freshman.

Rise to Success

Yoo co-founded Nexon in 1994 with Kim Jung-ju and played a crucial role in the company's early development, serving as head of management support. She became a director of Nexon and NXC in 2003 and an auditor of NXC in 2010. After Kim Jung-ju's death in 2022, Yoo inherited a significant portion of his wealth, including a 34% stake in NXC, becoming the largest shareholder. In 2024, she was appointed as the chairperson of the board of directors at NXC.

Key Business Strategies

Following her husband's passing, Yoo has taken an active interest in the strategic direction of the Nexon Group. In August 2024, NXC bought back shares from Yoo and her children to help with inheritance tax payments and stabilize management.

Philanthropy

Kim Jung-ju was known for his generosity to children's hospitals, and was listed on the 15 Heroes of Philanthropy list released by Forbes Asia. Further information on Yoo Jung-hyun's specific philanthropic initiatives is unavailable in the current search results.

Career Timeline

2024

Chairperson of NXC

Appointed as the chairperson of the board of directors at NXC.

2022

Inherited NXC shares

Became the largest shareholder of NXC after the death of her husband.

2010

Auditor of NXC

Became an auditor of NXC.

2003

Director of Nexon and NXC

Became a director of both Nexon and its holding company, NXC.

1995

Joined NXC

Joined NXC, the holding company of Nexon.

1994

Co-founded Nexon

Co-founded the online gaming company Nexon with her husband, Kim Jung-ju.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
NXC34.00%

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Yoo Jung-hyun was born on April 16, 1969. She met her future husband, Kim Jung-ju, at a ski resort when he was a freshman.

Rise to Success

Yoo co-founded Nexon in 1994 with Kim Jung-ju and played a crucial role in the company's early development, serving as head of management support. She became a director of Nexon and NXC in 2003 and an auditor of NXC in 2010. After Kim Jung-ju's death in 2022, Yoo inherited a significant portion of his wealth, including a 34% stake in NXC, becoming the largest shareholder. In 2024, she was appointed as the chairperson of the board of directors at NXC.

Key Business Strategies

Following her husband's passing, Yoo has taken an active interest in the strategic direction of the Nexon Group. In August 2024, NXC bought back shares from Yoo and her children to help with inheritance tax payments and stabilize management.

Philanthropy

Kim Jung-ju was known for his generosity to children's hospitals, and was listed on the 15 Heroes of Philanthropy list released by Forbes Asia. Further information on Yoo Jung-hyun's specific philanthropic initiatives is unavailable in the current search results.

Data Sources & Methodology

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