(LEAD) Court rules in favor of LG chair in inheritance lawsuit

▲ LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo speaks in a meeting at the presidential office in Seoul in this file photo taken Nov. 16, 2025. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) LG Group-inheritance suit

(LEAD) Court rules in favor of LG chair in inheritance lawsuit

(ATTN: ADDS plaintiffs' statement in para 8)

SEOUL, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- A court on Thursday ruled in favor of LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo in an inheritance lawsuit filed by other family members of his late adoptive father and predecessor, Koo Bon-moo.

The Seoul Western District Court made the ruling in the lawsuit filed in February 2023 by the late LG chairman's wife Kim Young-sik and two daughters, who demanded the cancellation of the inheritance that took place following Koo Bon-moo's death in May 2018.

The late chairman left behind 2 trillion won (US$1.38 billion) worth of assets, including 11.28 percent of LG Corp., the holding company of the nation's fourth-largest conglomerate, and the younger Koo inherited 8.76 percent of the company.

Kim and the two daughters received an inheritance worth 500 billion won, including 2.01 percent of LG Corp. for the first daughter, 0.51 percent for the second daughter, and the late chairman's personal assets such as financial investment products, real estate and artwork.

The plaintiffs demanded the inheritance be divided again, according to the relevant law where the spouse and children inherit assets in a 1.5-to-1 ratio.

But Chairman Koo's side has refuted their claim, citing a family agreement and testimony from group officials that the late chairman handpicked Koo Kwang-mo as his successor and expressed intent to give all management assets to him.

The court accepted the chairman's argument and dismissed the plaintiffs' claims.

In a following statement, the plaintiffs expressed "deep regret" over the court decision, claiming it was based on lopsided testimony by group officials and saying they plan to immediately file an appeal.

Koo Kwang-mo was born as a son of Koo Bon-moo's younger brother and adopted by the late chairman in 2004 to maintain the group's long-held tradition of the eldest son taking management control.

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