Over six decades, Mr Shin Kyuk-ho built a chewing gum business into South Korea's fifth-largest conglomerate, spanning hotels, shopping malls, movie chains and cafes.
It was no secret when the founder of Lotte Group was near the end of his life: He died over the weekend at the age of 97 after slipping into dementia years ago. While the patriarch involved his children in the family business, he never established a clear heir apparent. Miraculously, he didn't even leave a will, South Korean media has reported.
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