Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong defended his lead in the August Netizen Awards business leader category vote.

In the voting held from August 1 to 31, Chairman Lee secured a total of 1,618 votes (43.8%), claiming the top spot. Maintaining stable support in the 40-percent range, he demonstrated his public influence as a leader of the business community.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun took second place, solidifying his position in the top ranks with a support rate of 939 votes (25.4%).

The third-place race saw an unprecedentedly close contest, with rankings split by just one to two votes. Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin rose to third with 242 votes (6.5%), Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin placed fourth with 240 votes (6.5%), just two votes behind, and CJ Group Chairman Lee Jae-hyun ranked fifth with 239 votes (6.5%), only one vote back. The three business leaders fiercely competed amid an equal vote share of 6.5%.

The vote battle among major conglomerate chiefs continued in the middle ranks. Hotel Shilla CEO Lee Boo-jin placed sixth with 207 votes (5.6%), LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo recorded seventh with 110 votes (3.0%), and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan secured eighth place with 93 votes (2.5%).

In the lower ranks, Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won each received four votes, tying for ninth place with an equal share of 0.1%.