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Billionaire Profile
Lee Dong-chae
Global Rank
#2665

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Lee Dong-chae

CEO, EcoPro
KR
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.7B
As of December 2025
Age
65
Source
Chemicals
Industry
manufacturing
Citizenship
KR

Biography

Lee Dong-chae, born December 10, 1959, is a prominent South Korean businessman renowned for founding EcoPro in 1998. His career began in the banking and electronics sectors before transitioning to entrepreneurship. Lee's net worth, as of December 2024, was estimated by Forbes to be $1.7 billion. He is the largest shareholder of EcoPro, a chemicals group specializing in battery materials, and the company's unit, EcoPro BM, is South Korea's largest producer of cathodes for EV batteries. Lee has received a special pardon in August 2024 after being sentenced to prison for insider trading, which allowed him to return to his advisory role at EcoPro. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in EcoPro's growth and its significant role in the electric vehicle industry.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Lee Dong-chae was born on December 10, 1959, in Pohang, South Korea. He is the second of eight children. After graduating from Daegu Commercial High School, he earned a degree in business administration from Yeungnam University. His early career included positions at Korea Housing Bank and Samsung Electronics. He also became a certified public accountant.

Rise to Success

In 1998, Lee founded Korea Zeorum, which later became the EcoPro Group. EcoPro began trading battery precursors in 2004. The company's focus on the secondary battery materials business propelled its growth. In 2007, EcoPro was listed on the KOSDAQ stock exchange. EcoPro BM, a unit of EcoPro, is South Korea's largest producer of cathodes for EV batteries by capacity. In 2023, Lee was sentenced to a two-year prison term and fined for insider trading. However, he was pardoned in 2024.

Key Business Strategies

Lee's business acumen and strategic investments in research and development proved crucial to EcoPro's success. The company's focus on battery materials, especially cathodes, capitalized on the growing demand for electric vehicles. He also expanded the company's global footprint by completing a new cathode plant in Hungary.

Philanthropy

Details on Lee Dong-chae's specific philanthropy initiatives are unavailable in the search results.

Career Milestones

1998

Founded EcoPro

Established Korea Zeorum, the predecessor to EcoPro, which later became a major player in the battery materials sector.

2004

Entered Battery Materials Business

Began trading battery precursors, a significant move that drove the company's growth.

2007

Listed on KOSDAQ

Successfully listed EcoPro on the KOSDAQ stock exchange.

2022

Stepped down as CEO

Stepped down as CEO of EcoPro amid allegations of insider trading.

2023

Convicted of Insider Trading

Sentenced to prison for insider trading.

2024

Received a Special Pardon

Released from prison and returned to an advisory role at EcoPro.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

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$XB

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Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

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Leadership Principles

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Controversies & Challenges

2023

Insider Trading

Sentenced to prison for insider trading valued at ₩1.1 billion.

2024

Tax Avoidance Investigation

EcoPro began to be investigated for allegations of having a slush fund for the purpose of tax avoidance.