More self-made tech entrepreneurs are making it into the list of Korea’s 50 richest people, according to a report by Forbes magazine Wednesday.

The report showed that 40 percent of the nation’s top 50 were self-made, as opposed to having inherited a business or wealth from their parents.

The figure was a big increase from a decade ago when Forbes ranked just seven self-made entrepreneurs among its list of 40 richest Koreans.

The increase is mainly attributed to the emergence of celebrity-status tech tycoons, according to the magazine.

Among them are Yello Mobile CEO Lee Sang-hyuk, who ranked 34th, with $1.05 billion worth of assets and Coupang CEO Kim Bom who ranked 36th, with $950 million.

Lee’s Yello Mobile, valued at $4 billion, manages a portfolio of more than 80 companies with 25 million monthly users.

Kim’s Coupang, valued at $5 billion, is the fastest growing e-commerce service in the country, offering same-day delivery services to customers across the country. The 38-year-old entrepreneur is also the youngest to make it to the list.

In addition, seven businessmen were listed for the first time this year. Two of whom benefited from Hanmi Science’s recent blast of pharmaceutical deals with global pharmaceutical giants.

Most billionaires’ wealth, however, has declined due to slowing domestic growth, Forbes added.

By Hong Sung-pyo (hong1@heraldcorp.com)