To give some contextual perspective on recent company performance, the overall value of South Korean exported products increased by 2.9% from US$526.9 billion in 2015 to $542.3 billion during 2019. From 2018 to 2019, exports from South Korea depreciated by -10.4%.
In the analysis below, we compare 10 of South Korea’s top export companies based on asset values, sales and profitability as of December 2019. Also presented is the Korean city where each business has its headquarters.
South Korea’s Top 10 Major Export Companies
- Assets
- Sales
- Profit
- Headquarters
Assets
Below are South Korea’s biggest export companies organized by asset value. Shown within parentheses is the primary industry in which each business operates. Also shown is the change in asset value as of December 2019 compared to one year earlier.
- Samsung Electronics (semiconductors): US$304.9 billion, up 4% from 2018
- Hyundai Motor (car/truck makers): $163.3 billion, down -0.9%
- Hanwha (products trader, explosives): $157.6 billion, up 5.3%
- SK Holdings (oil, gas): $114.2 billion, up 11.4%
- Posco (iron, steel): $67.6 billion, down -10.6%
- KIA Motors (car/truck makers): $45.8 billion, down -7.7%
- Hyundai Mobis (automotive parts): $38.7 billion, down -2.3%
- LG Electronics (consumer electronics): $37.4 billion, down -3.4%
- SK Innovation (iron, steel): $34.2 billion, up 6.9%
- Hyundai Heavy Industries (heavy equipment): $22.2 billion, down -21.8%
Four of the above export-oriented Korean businesses grew their asset values from 2018 to 2019, led by oil and gas firm SK Holdings (up 11.4%). Other gainers were SK Innovation (up 6.9%), Hanwha (up 5.3%) and Samsung Electronics (up 4%).
Leading the asset value decliners were Hyundai Heavy Industries (down -21.8%), iron and steel maker Posco (down -10.6%) and KIA Motors (down -7.7%).
Sales
Profit
Headquarters
Note: Some of the above company offerings may include products other than the principal category shown within parenthesis under the Assets tab.
For example, SK Holdings not only distributes natural gas but also provides information technology services, architecture and civil engineering services. In addition, SK Holdings makes petrochemicals and develops biopharmaceuticals.
Besides making iron and steel products, Posco designs industrial plants, civil engineering projects as well as commercial and residential buildings.
See also South Korea’s Top 10 Exports, South Korea’s Top 10 Imports and Top South Korean Trade Balances
Research Sources:
Forbes Global 2000 individual company profiles, Example of top Korean company compiled for this study: Samsung Electronics. Accessed on August 26, 2020
Forbes Global 2000 rankings (South Korean company listing), The World’s Biggest Public Companies. Accessed on August 26, 2020
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on August 26, 2020
Wikipedia, Category: Companies of South Korea. Accessed on August 26, 2020
Wikipedia, List of companies of South Korea. Accessed on August 26, 2020