Samsung Electronics’ 2026 shareholder-return plan is drawing attention because of its connection to the ‘10% rule’ under the Financial Industry Act. On August 21, 2026, Samsung Electronics’ board approved a plan estimating the 2026 shareholder-return amount at approximately KRW 90 trillion to KRW 110 trillion. However, this is an officially presented estimate and does not mean that the final treasury-share cancellation amount has been determined. [The Chosun Ilbo reported](https://www.chosun.com/economy/stock-finance/2026/08/25/UFRMI4PNOZE6HIIUWN6I22NLUA/) that the details of the treasury-share cancellation had not yet been finalized.
Why Treasury-Share Cancellation Matters for Ownership Percentages
The common-share ownership percentages cited by Yonhap News are approximately 8.51% for Samsung Life Insurance and 1.49% for Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance. Because the two financial affiliates’ combined ownership is aligned at 10%, analysts have pointed out that additional calculation variables could arise if Samsung Electronics repurchases and cancels common shares. According to [Yonhap’s analysis](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260824023151008), the combined ownership percentage could exceed 10% if additional common shares are cancelled.
Treasury-share cancellation reduces the number of shares outstanding. If the number of shares held by Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance remains unchanged, the decline in total shares outstanding could mathematically increase their ownership percentages.
The key issue is not only whether the financial affiliates purchased additional shares, but also how the total number of shares changes when the company cancels common shares.
How to Interpret the 10% Threshold in Article 24 of the Financial Industry Act
[Article 24 of the Financial Industry Act on the Korea Law Information Center](https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsLinkCommonInfo.do?chrClsCd=010202&lsJoLnkSeq=1029473049) requires prior approval from the Financial Services Commission when a financial institution belonging to the same corporate group reaches specified ownership thresholds in the total number of voting shares issued by another company. The provision includes thresholds of 20%, 5%, 10%, and 15%.
Accordingly, the ‘10% rule’ mentioned in media reports should not be treated as an absolute ownership prohibition applicable in every situation. Under the statutory language, the 10% threshold should be understood as part of a Financial Services Commission approval requirement combined with requirements such as de facto control by a financial institution belonging to the same corporate group.
Paragraph 4 of Article 24 of the Financial Industry Act provides that if an institution becomes subject to the requirements because of an unavoidable reason prescribed by presidential decree, such as a capital reduction by another shareholder, it must apply for approval from the Financial Services Commission within a specified period. How this provision applies to the current matter requires review of the specific facts and legal analysis.
Confirmed Figures and Their Interpretation
| Item | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Samsung Electronics’ 2026 shareholder-return amount | Estimated at approximately KRW 90–110 trillion |
| Samsung Life Insurance’s ownership of Samsung Electronics common shares | Approximately 8.51% |
| Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance’s ownership of Samsung Electronics common shares | Approximately 1.49% |
| Analysts’ estimate of capacity for treasury-share repurchases and cancellations | Approximately KRW 10–20 trillion |
The KRW 10–20 trillion estimated by securities analysts is not Samsung Electronics’ confirmed final cancellation amount. Therefore, the overall estimated shareholder-return amount of KRW 90–110 trillion should not be treated as the same figure as the estimated treasury-share repurchase and cancellation amount.
Conclusion
The key issue is not Samsung Electronics’ large-scale shareholder-return plan itself, but how much common-share treasury stock will ultimately be cancelled and how the financial affiliates’ ownership percentages will be calculated afterward. Based on the information currently available, there is no basis to conclude that KRW 110 trillion is a confirmed amount to be distributed or that the entire amount has been designated for treasury-share cancellation.
Before publication, Samsung Electronics’ IR materials and subsequent DART disclosures should be cross-checked again, along with the latest ownership percentages held by Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance. The 10% threshold under the Financial Industry Act should likewise not be described as a simple absolute prohibition; the prior-approval requirements and language concerning de facto control in Article 24 should be reviewed together.
Source verification time: August 30, 2026, 22:30 UTC.