[THE INVESTOR] Shareholders of listed South Korean companies have earned solid capital gains over the past five years, a lawmaker said on Oct. 12.

In an analysis of data from the National Tax Service, Rep. Park Kwang-on of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea said 166,838 people filed their capital gains tax return between 2011 and 2015, with their proceeds from stock sales reaching a combined 48.2 trillion won (US$42.80 billion).

Of the total, 610 shareholders reported capital gains of 10 billion won or more, with 132,166 people filing capital gains of less than 100 million won.

A total of 28 shareholders reported capital gains exceeding the 100 billion-won mark, according to the data.

Capital gains taxes are imposed on those who sell 1 percent or more of shares listed on the main stock market, and 2 percent or more of stocks traded on the secondary bourse. Sellers of unlisted stocks are required to pay capital gains taxes regardless of the volume.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)