The Korean (South) economy is classified as a highly developed, mixed economy. Korea’s economy is primarily dominated by family-run conglomerates called “chaebols”. According to Asia-Nikkei financials, South Korean economy grew 5.9% in the second quarter of 2021, which compared to the first quarter indicated a 0.7% expansion of the economy.
South Korea has increased its per capita GDP more quickly than any of its neighbors, and according to McKinsey, invests a greater percentage of its GDP than Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. As an emerging market, South Korea’s major sectors predominantly include electronics, telecommunications and automobiles, and steel.
There is a strong overseas demand present for Korean-produced IT products as stated by reports from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. This accounts for a fifth of total exports, along with automobile exports upon which restrictions are being reduced. With major technology giants such as Samsung (KSE: 005930.KS) still maintaining product popularity within the country, and telecommunication companies like Naver (KSE: 035420.KS) and Kakao (KSE: 035720.KS) gaining momentum, the economy is on the road to recovery.
15 Most Valuable Korean Companies in the World
Our Methodology
In this article, we chose some of the most notable and biggest South Korean companies in the world. We took into account popularity and market caps while choosing these companies.
15. KRAFTON, Inc (KSE: 259960.KS)
KRAFTON, Inc (KSE:259960.KS) deals in developing, producing, and selling household video games in South Korea and international markets. Before the company changed its name to KRAFTON, Inc.(KSE:259960.KS) in November 2018, it was formerly known as Bluehole Studio Inc. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Seongnam, South Korea.
14. Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd (KSE: 102330.KS)
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd (KSE: 102330.KS) was founded in 1977 and is located in Seoul, South Korea. Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd (KSE: 102330.KS) is a manufacturer and seller of automotive parts. Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd (KSE: 102330.KS)’s products cater to every component and aspect related to the automobile parts assembly, customization and after service including advanced driver assistance systems, parking and lane-keeping assist systems, autonomous braking systems, car lamps, electric and hybrid car systems, electronic steering and suspension and aftermarket service parts.
13. POSCO (NYSE: PKX)
POSCO (NYSE:PKX) is another major giant in our list of most valuable Korean companies in the world and is a dominant force of the steel manufacturing and selling industry.
The company was formed in 1968 and is located in Pohang, South Korea. POSCO (NYSE:PKX) has multiple subsidiaries all of which operate in multiple sectors of the economy. The company predominantly manufactures and sells steel rolled products and plates locally and to international markets. POSCO (NYSE:PKX) is also involved in engineering, construction, trading, along with planning, designing, and selling industrial plants, industrial and commercial buildings, importing, and exporting steel and its finished goods, IT products, and services, electronic goods, and chemicals among other things. With an output of 42,000,000 metric tons of crude steel in 2015, the company became the world’s fourth-largest steelmaker by this measure. In 2010, it was the world’s largest steel manufacturing company by market value.
12. LG Electronics Inc. (Frankfurt: LGLG.F)
LG Electronics Inc. (Frankfurt: LGLG.F) was founded in 1958 and is based in Seoul, South Korea. LG Electronics Inc (Frankfurt: LGLG.F) manufactures and sells consumer electronics, mobile communications, and home appliances worldwide.
11. Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS)
Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) manufactures and sells vehicles in South Korea, Europe, and North America. It was founded in 1944 and is based in Seoul, South Korea. The company offers cars, SUVs and MPV, eco, and commercial vehicles. It sells its products through a network of dealers. Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) is South Korea’s second-largest automobile manufacturer with sales of over 2.8 million vehicles in 2019.
10. Celltrion, Inc. (KSE: 068270.KS)
Celltrion, Inc. (KSE: 068270) ranks 10th on our list of most valuable Korean companies in the world. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Incheon, South Korea.
Celltrion, Inc. (KSE: 068270) operates in the healthcare sector and is heavily invested in the biotechnology industry. Involved in the development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceuticals, Celltrion, Inc. (KSE: 068270) operates through the Biopharmaceuticals, Chemical Drugs and Others businesses. Celltron develops and produces therapeutics based on proteins including oncology treatment drugs.
9. Hyundai Motor Company (OTC: HYMTF)
Hyundai Motor Company (Other OTC: HYMTC) was incorporated in 1967 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Hyundai Motor Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes motor vehicles and parts. It operates through Vehicle, Finance, and Others segments. Hyundai Motor Company (Other OTC: HYMTF) is the parent company of both Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) and Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd (KSE: 102330.KS), among many others. Besides the automobile sector, Hyundai Motor Company (Other OTC: HYMTF) is involved in real estate development, insurance services, train manufacturing and even owns a football club.
8. Samsung SDI (KSE: 006405.KS)
Samsung SDI (KSE: 006405.KS) is a player in the mobile components industry and specializes in manufacturing and selling batteries to international markets. Inaugurated in 1970 and rooted in Yongin, South Korea, Samsung SDI (KSE: 006405.KS) covers a wide range of products, such as batteries regarding laptops, mobile phones, and tablet, wearable devices, electronic materials, and energy storage systems along with tons of other products.
Samsung SDI (KSE: 006405.KS) operates through three segments: Chemicals, Electronic Materials, and Energy and Other.
7. LG Chem, Ltd (KSE: 051910.KS)
LG Chem, Ltd. (KSE: 051910.KS) caters to the petrochemicals, energy solutions, advanced materials, life sciences, and common and ‘Others’ businesses in South Korea and international markets. Affiliated to LG Electronics Inc. (Frankfurt: LGLG.F), the company provides olefin petrochemicals, manufactures and supplies IT and batteries, offers human growth hormones, and crop protection products, among many other diverse product offerings.
LG Chem, Ltd. (KSE: 051910.KS) was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
6. Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd (KSE: 207940.KS)
Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd. (KSE: 207940.KS) was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Incheon, South Korea. Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd (KSE: 207940.KS) operates in the biotechnology industry, engaging in the contract manufacturing organization business for biopharmaceuticals products.
5. Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG)
Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) is ranked 5th on our list of most valuable Korean companies in the world. It was founded in 2010 and is based in Seoul, South Korea.
Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) operates in the internet retail industry through its mobile applications and internet websites. The company expanded to become the largest online marketplace in South Korea.
Like Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd. (KSE: 207940.KS) and LG Chem, Ltd. (KSE: 051910.KS), Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) is one of the most valuable companies in Korea.
Pixabay/Public Domain
4. NAVER Corporation (KSE: 035420.KS)
NAVER Corporation (KSE: 035420.KS) and Kakao Corp. (KSE: 035720.KS) both operate in the ‘internet content and communications’ industry. The company and its subsidiaries provide internet and online search portal, and mobile messenger platform services in South Korea, Japan, and internationally. NAVER Corporation (KSE: 035420.KS) was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Seongnam, South Korea.
Among its many applications, the most popular include Naver which is a search portal with various topic boards; LINE, a messaging application; Papago, an automated interpretation application; WHALE, a web browser.
ben bryant / Shutterstock.com
3. Kakao Corp. (KSE: 035720.KS)
Kakao Corp. (KSE: 035720.KS) ranks 3rd on our list of ‘15 Most Valuable Korean Companies in the World. The company operates mobile and other online platforms in South Korea. Its platform operations comprise its talk business, portal business, and other business, which provide users with the ability to communicate, search content, shop, and make payments online, as well as use services, such as mobile transportation applications. Kakao Corp. (KSE: 035720.KS) was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Jeju, South Korea.
2. SK Hynix, Inc. (KSE: 000660.KS)
SK Hynix (KSE: 000660.KS) ranks 2nd on our list of most valuable Korean companies in the world. SK hynix, Inc. (KSE: 000660.KS) specializes in the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of semiconductor products to the international markets, offering memory semiconductor products, as well as computing, mobile, and graphics memory products. It is the world’s second-largest memory chipmaker and the world’s 3rd-largest semiconductor company. SK hynix, Inc. (KSE: 000660.KS) was founded in 1949 and is based in Icheon-si, South Korea.
1. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KSE: 005930.KS)
Ranked first on our list of most valuable Korean companies in the world is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KSE: 005930.KS). The company is a giant in the consumer electronics industry. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KSE: 005930.KS) was founded in 1938 and is based in Suwon, South Korea. The company engages in consumer electronics, information technology and mobile communications, and device solutions businesses worldwide. The company sells any and all digital items and also involves itself in the technology and venture capital investment business, medical supplies, software development and many other businesses. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KSE: 005930.KS) is the most successful company of the Samsung chaebol, accounting for 70% of the group’s revenue in 2012.
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Disclosure: None. 15 Most Valuable Korean Companies in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
