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A total of twenty minors under the age of 20 received dividends of more than 100 million Won ($89 thousand) in 2011, an increase of two from 2010. The number of recipients of dividends of over 100 million Won stood at 1,019 in 2011, an increase of 104 over the 915 in 2010.
Chaebul.com released data Monday on the dividend status of majority shareholders and their special relations for 698 listed companies (according to December account settlements) that had decided on cash dividends as of Feb. 26.
Ranked first among minors receiving dividends was the nine-year-old nephew of GS Chairman Huh Chang-soo and oldest son of GS Holdings Assistant Managing Director Huh Yong-soo, who received a dividend of 950 million Won ($846,649). Huh Yong-soo’s second-oldest son, age 6, received 340 million Won, placing him in a tie for third among minors receiving dividends. In second place with 440 million Won was the nineteen-year-old eldest daughter of AmorePacific CEO Suh Kyung-bae. Also tied for third with 340 million Won were the 19-year-old son of GS Retail Vice President Huh Yeon-soo and the 20-year-old eldest daughter of LG Electronics Vice Chairman Koo Bon-joon.
Next in line were an 18-year-old relative of Dongsuh Chairman Kim Sang-heon with 330 million Won; the 16-year-old daughter of KCC CEO Chung Mong-jin with 310 million Won; the 10-year-old daughter of GS Home Shopping CEO Huh Tae-soo with 300 million Won; the 17-year-old son of Lee Jun-ho, president of the KOSDAQ-listed SPG, with 280 million Won; and the 12-year-old oldest son of KCC CEO Chung Mong-ik with 190 million Won.
　　
Wounded Samho Jewelry captain regains consciousness
Seok Hae-kyun, the wounded captain of the Samho Jewelry during South Korean Navy Seal/UDT’s rescue operation on Jan. 21, regained consciousness completely and is breathing without a respirator, said the Ajou University Hospital Monday.
The 58-year-old Seok said to the press after they requested that he smile, “Please take a good picture of me, although I am not handsome,” with a bright look.
Ajou University Hospital, where captain Seok has been treated since his return to Korea, said he was able to meet his family on Feb. 20 and breathe without a respirator on Feb. 25. The hospital reported it will move Seok to a general ward this weekend and work on the fractured left arm and legs. it will take quite a long time for all his organs and body parts to function normally, hospital added added.
　
Defense Ministry to punish civillians for leaking information
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense has brought about a controversy for its plans to revise the law to punish civilians, including legislators and retired military officials, for leaking confidential military information.
The ministry released advance notification for its revision of the current Military Secrets Protection Law on its website last Friday. Under the revision, those who have obtained or been briefed on confidential information from the military should be revised by the military in advance or will be punished for disclosing it to a third party, including the press.
Critics say that the move is aimed at gagging the press and seriously undermining the authority of the National Assembly.
　
Minister Jung found to rent a big apartment, not to live there
Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Minister Chung Jong-hwan has been criticised for his dishonesty with regards to the controversial issue of jeonse, renting apartments using a huge sum of key deposit money.
Minor opposition Democratic Labor Party Lawmaker (DLP) Kang Ki-gap revealed Monday that Chung leased a large apartment located in central Seoul late last year for 500 million won ($443,000) under the jeonse system. Kang said that the minister is a landlord so he doesn’t pay attention to the plight of tenants. “Chung lied at his confirmation hearing,” Kang said, calling for Chung’s resignation.
Minister Chung bought the Seoul apartment at issue in Dec. 2007. When asked at the hearings in early 2008 he said that his family would reside but it was later revealed that he rents it out.

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