Location of South Korea South Korea is a sovereign state in East Asia , constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula .[ 1] Highly urbanized at 92%,[ 2] high-rises [ 3] Seoul Capital Area with 25 million residents[ 4] global city [ 5] fourth-largest economy [ 6] sustainable city in the world.[ 7]
Driven by a highly educated and skilled workforce, it has the world's eighth-highest median household income , the highest in Asia, and its singles in particular earn more than all G7 nations. Globally, it ranks highly in personal safety ,[ 8] job security , and healthcare quality, with the world's third-highest health adjusted life expectancy and fourth-most efficient healthcare system.[ 9] largest spender on R&D per GDP , leading the OECD in graduates in science and engineering[ 10] Youth Wellbeing Index.[ 11] Samsung , POSCO , LG and Hyundai-Kia , South Korea was named the world's most innovative country in the Bloomberg Innovation Index ,[ 12] business R&D intensity and patents filed per GDP . As of 2014, it has the world's fastest Internet speed and highest smartphone ownership , ranking first in ICT Development , e-Government [ 13] 4G LTE coverage .
For further information on the types of business entities in this country and their abbreviations, see "Business entities in South Korea ".
Largest firms This list shows firms in the Fortune Global 500 , which ranks firms by total revenues reported before 01 February, 2025.[ 14]
Rank Image Name 2024 Revenues (USD $M) Employees Notes 31 Samsung $198,257 267,860 Multinational electronics conglomerate, and one of the world's largest information technology firms. Closely branded subsidiaries include Samsung Electronics , Samsung C&T Corporation , Samsung Electro-Mechanics , Samsung Heavy Industries , Samsung Life Insurance , and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance . 73 Hyundai Motor Company $124,577 73,502 Third-largest automotive manufacturer, including its Kia Motors and Genesis Motors brand divisions, and regional subsidiaries Hyundai Motor India Limited , Beijing Hyundai , Hyundai Motor America , and Hyundai Motor Europe GmbH . 100 SK Group $101,969 114,950 Diversified conglomerate with more than 95 subsidiaries and affiliates, including SK Innovation (Energy), SK Telecom (telecommunications), SK Hynix (semiconductors), and SK C&C (consulting). 162 Kia $76,419 52,871 Multinational automobile manufacturer, 34% owned by Hyundai Motor 201 Korea Electric Power Corporation $66,977 48,696 Korea's largest electrical utility, majority-owned by the Korean state. The firm provides for generation, distribution, and major development projects.
English Korean Group Industry Sector Headquarters Founded Notes 5Rocks - - Technology Software Seoul 2010 Mobile analytics
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D English Korean Group Industry Sector Headquarters Founded Notes Daehan Tire 대한타이어 - Consumer goods Tires Seoul 1990 Tires Daewoong Pharmaceutical 대웅제약 - Industrials Biopharmaceutical Seoul 1945 Biotechnology, (KRX : 069620 ) DL E&C 디엘이앤씨 주식회사 DL Group Industrials Construction & materials Seoul 1962 Construction DL Group 디엘 주식회사 DL Group Conglomerates - Seoul 1939 Automotive, construction, industrials, oil and gas, financials DASAN Networks 다산네트웍스 - Telecommunications Telecommunications equipment Seoul 1993 Telecommunications equipment manufacturer DI Corporation 디코퍼레이션 - Technology Semiconductors Seoul 1955 Semiconductor testing equipment DNA Motors DNA 모터스 DL Group Consumer goods Automobiles Changwon 1978 Motorcycles Dongbu Group 동부그룹 Dongbu Group Conglomerates - Seoul 1969 Steel, financials, chemicals, industrials Dongkuk Steel 동국제강 - Basic materials Basic resources Seoul 1954[ 16] Steel Doosan Enerbility 두산중공업 Doosan Group Industrials Construction & materials Changwon 1962 Heavy industrial construction Doosan Engineering & Construction 두산건설 Doosan Group Industrials Construction & materials Seoul [ 17] 1960 Construction Doosan Fuel Cell 두산퓨얼셀 Doosan Group Industrials Renewable energy Iksan 2019 Fuel cell Doosan Group 두산그룹 Doosan Group Conglomerates - Seoul 1896 Industrials, Defense, infrastructure Doosan Robotics 두산로보틱스 Doosan Group Industrials Robotics Suwon 2015 Cobot, service robot
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F English Korean Group Industry Sector Headquarters Founded Notes FILA 휠라 - Consumer goods Clothing & accessories Seoul 1911 Sportswear
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H English Korean Group Industry Sector Headquarters Founded Notes Haitai 해태제과식품 Crown Confectionery Consumer goods Food & beverage Seoul 1945 Instant foods Halla Group 한라그룹 Halla Group Conglomerates - Seoul 1962 Automotive, construction Hana Financial Group 하나금융그룹 - Financials Financial services Seoul 1971 financial services Hanjin 한진 그룹 Hanjin Conglomerates - Seoul 1945 Airlines, tourism, travel Hanjin Shipping 한진 해운 Hanjin Industrials Industrial transportation Seoul 1977 Defunct 2017 Hankook Ilbo 한국일보 - Consumer services Publishing Seoul 1954 Publishing Hankook 한국타이어 - Consumer goods Tires Seoul 1941 Tires Hansol 한솔 Hansol Conglomerates - Seoul 1965 Construction, chemicals, telecom Hanwha 한화그룹 Hanwha Conglomerates - Seoul 1952 Industrials, chemicals, defense, financials Hanwha Aerospace 한화에어로스페이스 Hanwha Industrials Aerospace & defense Seoul 1977 Aircraft parts & accessories, military vehicles, engines, rockets Hanwha Life Insurance 한화생명 Hanwha Financials Insurance Seoul 1946 Life insurance Hanwha Ocean 한화오션 Hanwha Industrials Industrial engineering Geoje 1978 Shipyard Hanwha Total 한화토탈 Hanwha Basic materials Chemicals Seoul 1988 Chemicals Hanwha Vision 한화비전 Hanwha Industrials Electronic & electrical equipment Seongnam 1977 Opto electronics, surveillance systems HCT Co., Ltd. 에이치시티 - Technology Semiconductors Icheon 2000 Semiconductor Hite Brewery 하이트맥주 Hite Brewery Consumer goods Brewers Seoul 1933 Brewery, (KRX : 103150 ) HiteJinro 하이트진로 Hite Brewery Consumer goods Brewers Seoul 1924 Distillery Hotel Shilla 신라호텔 Samsung Consumer services Travel & leisure Seoul 1979 Hotels Humax 휴맥스 - Telecommunications Telecommunications equipment Seoul 1989 Broadband equipment manufacturer Hybe Corporation 주식회사 HYBE - Consumer services Media Seoul 2005 Record label Hyosung 효성그룹 Hyosung Conglomerates - Seoul 1966 Chemical, industrials, construction Hyundai Amco 엠코건설 Hyundai Motor Group Industrials Construction & materials Seoul 2002 Construction and materials Hyundai Asan 현대아산 Hyundai Group Financials Real estate Goseong 1998[ 19] Development Hyundai Capital 현대캐피탈 Hyundai Motor Group Financials Financial services Seoul 1993 Financial services Hyundai Corporation 현대종합상사 Hyundai Heavy Industries Group Industrials General industries Seoul 1976 Trading, logistics Hyundai Department Store Group 현대백화점그룹 Hyundai Group Consumer services Retail Seoul 1971 Retail holding company Hyundai Engineering & Construction 현대 건설 Hyundai Motor Group Industrials Construction & materials Seoul 1947 Construction and engineering Hyundai Glovis 현대글로비스 주식회사 Hyundai Motor Group Industrials Industrial transportation Seoul 2001 Logistics Hyundai Group 현대 Hyundai Group Conglomerates - Seoul 1947 Construction, transportation, power Hyundai Heavy Industries Group 현대중공업그룹 Hyundai Heavy Industries Group Conglomerates - Ulsan 1972 Industrials, construction, defense, transportation, oil & gas HD Hyundai Heavy Industries 현대중공업 (주) Hyundai Heavy Industries Group Industrials Industrial engineering Ulsan 1972 Shipyard, engine & heavy machinery manufacturer Hyundai IHL 현대 Hyundai Motor Group Consumer goods Auto parts Seoul 1993 Parts and services Hyundai Merchant Marine 현대상선 Hyundai Group Industrials Industrial transportation Seoul 1976 Marine transport Hyundai Mobis 현대모비스 주식회사 Hyundai Motor Group Consumer goods Auto parts Seoul 1977 Parts and services Hyundai Motor Company 현대자동차 Hyundai Motor Group Consumer goods Automobiles Seoul 1967 Automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group 현대자동차그룹 Hyundai Motor Group Conglomerates - Seoul 2000 Holding group Hyundai Oilbank 현대오일뱅크 Hyundai Heavy Industries Group Oil & gas Oil & gas producers Seoul 1964 Refinery Hyundai Rotem 현대로템 주식회사 Hyundai Motor Group Industrials Industrial engineering Seoul 1999 Military vehicles, railway vehicles, plant engineering Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries 현대삼호중공업 Hyundai Heavy Industries Group Industrials Industrial engineering Yeongam 1998 Shipyard Hyundai Steel 현대제철 Hyundai Motor Group Basic materials Basic resources Incheon 1953 Steel Hyundai Wia 현대위아 Hyundai Motor Group Consumer goods Auto parts Changwon 1976 Parts
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R English Korean Group Industry Sector Headquarters Founded Notes Renault Korea 르노코리아 Renault (France) Consumer goods Automobiles Busan 1994 Automobile manufacturer
S English Korean Group Industry Sector Headquarters Founded Notes S.M. Entertainment SM엔터테인먼트 - Consumer services Media Seoul 1989 Record label Samick 삼익악기 - Consumer goods Consumer electronics Eumseong County 1958 Musical instruments Samsung 삼성 Samsung Conglomerates - Seoul 1938 Electronics, financials, retail, media Samsung Biologics 삼성바이오로직스 Samsung Industrials Biopharmaceutical Incheon 2011 Biotechnology, (KRX : 207940 ) Samsung C&T Corporation 삼성물산 Samsung Industrials Construction & materials Seoul 1938 Construction and engineering Samsung Card 삼성카드 Samsung Financials Financial services Seoul 1988 Credit cards Samsung Digital Imaging 삼성디지털이미징 Samsung Industrials Electronic & electrical equipment Seoul 2009 Optoelectronics Samsung Display 삼성디스플레이 Samsung Industrials Electronic & electrical equipment Asan 2004 Display products Samsung Economic Research Institute 삼성경제연구소 Samsung Industrials Support services Seoul 1986 Industrial think tank Samsung Electro-Mechanics 삼성전기 Samsung Industrials Electronic & electrical equipment Suwon 1973 Electronic components Samsung Electronics 삼성전자 Samsung Consumer goods Consumer electronics Suwon 1969 Consumer electronics Samsung Engineering 삼성엔지니어링 Samsung Industrials Industrial engineering Seoul 1970 Engineering Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance 삼성화재 Samsung Financials Insurance Seoul 1952 General insurance Samsung Heavy Industries 삼성중공업 Samsung Industrials Industrial engineering Seoul 1974 Shipyard Samsung Life Insurance 삼성생명보험 Samsung Financials Insurance Seoul 1957 Life and health insurance Samsung Medical Center 삼성의료원 Samsung Health care Health care providers Seoul 1994 Hospital Samsung SDS 삼성에스디에스 Samsung Technology Computer services Seoul 1985 I/T consulting Samyang Food 삼양식품 - Consumer goods Food & beverage Seoul 1961 Food and beverage conglomerate, processed food Sindoh 신도 - Technology Computer hardware & peripherals Seoul 1960 Computer printing equipment SNT Dynamics SNT다이내믹스 - Industrials Industrial engineering Changwon 1959 Defense, military vehicles, automotive SNT Motiv SNT모티브 - Industrials Defense Busan 1981 Defense, firearms Standard Chartered Korea SC제일은행 Standard Chartered (UK) Financials Banks Seoul 1929 Bank Seoul Broadcasting System 에스비에스 - Consumer services Media Seoul 1991 Broadcasting Shinhan Bank 신한은행 - Financials Banks Seoul 1897 Bank Shinsegae 신세계 - Consumer services Retail Seoul 1955 Department stores SK Broadband SK Group Telecommunications Fixed line telecommunications Seoul 2008 Acquired by SK Group in 2008 SK ecoplant SK에코플랜트 - Industrial Renewable energy Seoul 1962 Solar panels, offshore wind power structures (KRX : 003340 ) SK C&C 에스케이씨앤씨 SK Group Technology Computer services Seoul 1991 I/T consulting SK Group 에스케이그룹 SK Group Conglomerates - Seoul 1953 Energy, chemicals, telecom, semiconductors SK Hynix 에스케이하이닉스 주식회사 SK Group Technology Semiconductors Icheon 1983 Semiconductor, (KRX : 000660 ) SK Oceanplant SK오션플랜트 - Industrial Offshore wind power Goseong 1996 (KRX : 100090 ) SK Telecom 에스케이텔레콤 SK Group Telecommunications Mobile telecommunications Seoul 1984 Wireless SL Corporation 에스엘코포레이션 - Consumer goods Auto parts Gyeongsan 1954 Parts S-Oil 에쓰오일 - Oil & gas Oil & gas producers Seoul 1977 Refinery Starship Entertainment 스타쉽 엔터테인먼트 LOEN Entertainment Consumer services Media Seoul 2008 Record label STX Corporation 에스티엑스 STX Corporation Conglomerates - Changwon 1976 Industrials, construction, financials STX Offshore & Shipbuilding STX조선해양 STX Corporation Industrials Industrial engineering Changwon 1962 Shipbuilder
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See also
References ^ public domain material from The World Factbook CIA .^ 지표상세 Index.go.kr . July 24, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2016 .^ [수도권]‘응팔 아파트’ 만들기 서울시의 이색 도전 : 뉴스 : 동아닷컴 . News.donga.com (January 7, 2016). Retrieved June 20, 2016.^ "Current population of the Seoul National Capital Area" . Statistics Korea.^ Institute for Urban Strategies, The Mori Memorials Foundation (2015). Global Power City Index 2015. ^ Global Metro Monitor |Brookings Institution . Brookings.edu (January 22, 2015). Retrieved June 20, 2016.^ "Sustainable City Index 2016 - Comparing cities" . Arcadis .^ Crime Index by Country 2016 . Numbeo.com. Retrieved June 20, 2016.^ Lu, Lisa Du lisadont Wei (September 29, 2016). "U.S. Health-Care System Ranks as One of the Least-Efficient" . Bloomberg. ^ "These are the 10 smartest countries in the world when it comes to science" . Business Insider. December 4, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2016 .^ "Archived copy" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-04-17. Retrieved 2016-11-07 .{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)^ "The Bloomberg Innovation Index" . Bloomberg .^ UN E-Government Survey 2014 . Unpan3.un.org. Retrieved June 20, 2016.^ DeCarlo, Scott (1 February 2025). "The Fortune 2024 Global 500" . Fortune ^ AJU Group: Private Company Information - Bloomberg ^ Dongkuk Steel Mill Co., Ltd.: Private Company Information - Bloomberg ^ Doosan Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.: Private Company Information - Bloomberg ^ 연혁 | EUGENE ^ Hyundai Asan Corporation: Private Company Information - Bloomberg
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Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard.
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA. 
