Asiana Airlines
10. Korean Air - $11.2 billion - Aviation
Korean Air is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Korea, with a turnover of $11.2 billion in 2022.
Asiana Airlines was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Seoul. After 60 years of development, it has now become one of the world's top 20 airlines, with destinations covering Asia, the Americas, Europe, Oceania and other major regions in the world.
Asiana Airlines operates 170 international and domestic routes, with more than 1,000 passenger and cargo flights per week. With a fleet of more than 160 modern aircraft, it has the largest fleet size in Northeast Asia. These aircraft are mainly from Boeing and Airbus.
In addition, Asiana Airlines is not only engaged in air transportation of passengers and cargo, but also provides aircraft maintenance and airport ground services through its subsidiaries Deep Blue Airlines and Incheon Airport. It is also one of the founding members of SkyTeam.
Korea Transportation Corporation
9.韩国运输公社(Korea South-East Power) - 128亿美元 - 电力
Korea South-East Power is a large state-owned power company in South Korea with a turnover of $1.28 billion in 2022.
The Korea Transport Corporation was established in 2001 as a result of the merger of the South Korean government's Hainan Power Generation Division with Hannam Power Generation. The Company is mainly responsible for the power supply and power generation business in the southern Middle East region of South Korea.
The Korea Transport Corporation has several thermal and hydroelectric power plants with an installed capacity of up to 1.59 million kilowatts. Among them, there are five major thermal power plants: Xiangshui Thermal Power Plant, Shanchuan Thermal Power Plant, Yingde Thermal Power Plant, Hunan Thermal Power Plant and Asan Thermal Power Plant. The company also operates the Shaofeng Hydroelectric Power Station and the Tianan Hydroelectric Power Station.
In 2022, the total power generation capacity of the Korea Transportation Corporation reached 101.7 billion kWh, of which 92.7 billion kWh was generated by thermal power and 9 billion kWh by hydroelectric power. The company provides electricity to more than 10 million customers in the southern Middle East region of South Korea.
Eastern Electric
8. Doosan Group - $15.1 billion - Electrical equipment, engineering, etc
Doosan Group is a South Korean multi-industry multinational conglomerate with a turnover of $15.1 billion in 2022. Eastern Electric has electrical equipment and engineering business as its main source of revenue.
Founded in 1896 as a beer brewer, Dongdong Electric has gradually expanded into the electrical, mechanical, and engineering fields, and has grown into one of Korea's leading conglomerates.
In the field of electrical equipment, Dongfang Electric mainly produces power generation equipment, power equipment, control systems, etc. Among them, the company has a global leading level in gas turbines, generator sets and air compressors. In addition, Dongfang Electric also provides related services such as power receiving equipment, rectifier devices, and transformers.
In the field of engineering services, Dongfang Electric's business covers the design/procurement/construction general contracting (EPC) of power plants, oil refineries, petrochemical projects and other projects. With complete engineering strength and rich project execution experience, the company has undertaken a number of large-scale engineering projects in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Modern heavy industry
7. Hyundai Heavy Industries - $16.1 billion - Shipbuilding, engineering, etc
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is one of the world's largest shipbuilders, with a turnover of $16.1 billion in 2022.
Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Ulsan, South Korea, Hyundai Heavy Industries is one of the subsidiaries of Hyundai Motor Group. The Company is mainly engaged in shipbuilding, offshore engineering, engine and machinery manufacturing, among others.
As one of the largest shipyards in the world, Hyundai Heavy Industries currently has five large-scale shipyards in Korea and many countries around the world. It can undertake the design, construction and maintenance of various types of merchant ships and naval vessels, such as ultra-large oil tankers, cargo ships, passenger ships, LNG carriers and special vessels.
In addition, Hyundai Heavy Industries is also a major offshore engineering company worldwide. It can not only provide the manufacture and installation of offshore engineering equipment such as offshore oil platforms and wind turbine foundations, but also undertake onshore engineering projects. The company also has mechanical engineering and engine manufacturing capabilities.
Through years of accumulation, Hyundai Heavy Industry is at the world's leading level in the field of ship design and high-end manufacturing. In the first half of 2022, the company has already received orders for more than 160 merchant ships and 20 naval vessels.
GS Group
6. GS Group – $68.3 billion – energy, buildings, etc
GS Group is a large conglomerate in South Korea that is active in various fields such as energy and construction, with a turnover of $68.3 billion in 2022.
GS Group was founded in 1969 by Chinese entrepreneur Guo Xingyi, initially focusing on plastics manufacturing. Over the past 50 years, GS Group has grown to become one of Korea's leading players in the energy and infrastructure industry.
In terms of energy business, GS Group, through its subsidiary, GS Energy, is mainly engaged in oil extraction, refining and sales. GS Energy owns Petro Chemical Refinery, one of the largest refineries in South Korea, and has several oil extraction projects in the United States, Brazil, and other countries.
In addition, GS Construction and GS Engineering Consortium, a subsidiary of GS Group, is one of the largest construction companies in Korea. GS E&C is mainly responsible for the construction of residential and public buildings, while the GS Engineering Consortium is engaged in large-scale infrastructure and energy projects in Korea and abroad.
Korea Electric Power Corporation
5. 韩国电力公社(Korea Electric Power Corporation) - 512亿美元 - 电力
Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is South Korea's largest power company, with a turnover of $51.2 billion in 2022. It provides electricity to two-thirds of South Korea's customers.
KEPCO was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Nyongviet, Gangwon-do. It has more than 20 power plants with a total installed capacity of 6.25 million kilowatts. These include thirty thermal power plants and two nuclear power plants.
In terms of traditional energy sources, KEPCO generates electricity by burning fossil fuels such as coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a cluster of power plants. In the field of green energy, the company has also begun to invest in renewable energy power generation projects such as solar and wind power.
KEPCO is a state-owned enterprise wholly owned by the Korean government. It has a 334,096-kilometer high-efficiency smart grid throughout South Korea, which transmits and distributes electricity to customers throughout Korea on a daily basis to ensure the electricity needs of the Korean economy and society.
Rakuten Group
4. Lotte Group - $63.9 billion - Food, retail, chemicals, etc
Lotte Group is a large conglomerate active in various fields such as food, retail, and chemicals, with a turnover of $63.9 billion in 2022.
Founded in 1967 by Sinuiju native Ko Se-sang, Lotte Group started as a fructose business, and has since expanded into more industries such as hospitality, food, retail, and chemicals, and has grown to become one of the most well-known conglomerates in Korea.
In the food sector, Lotte Group is well-known in Korea for its biscuit and confectionery brand "Gwanwoo". In addition, it has Korea's largest soda brand, "Rakevan Sparkling Drink", as well as a variety of food-grade manufacturing businesses such as brewing and chocolate.
In the retail business, Lotte Group operates thousands of shopping malls, supermarkets and convenience stores in Korea through subsidiaries such as Lotte Department Store and Lotte Mart. This makes it the largest retail business in South Korea.
SK Group
3. SK Group - $91.3 billion - Energy, telecommunications, chemicals, etc
SK Group is a large conglomerate active in various fields such as energy, telecommunications, and chemicals in South Korea, with a turnover of $91.3 billion in 2022.
Founded in 1953 by Chey Jong-hyon, SK Group initially focused on petroleum refining, and has since expanded into high-tech industries such as energy extraction, petrochemicals, telecommunications, and semiconductors, becoming one of Korea's most globally competitive conglomerates.
In the traditional energy sector, SK Group is not only the largest petroleum refiner in Korea, but also has oil and gas resource extraction projects in many countries around the world. In addition, subsidiaries such as SK Chemical and SK Innovation are major petrochemical and specialty chemical producers in South Korea.
At the same time, SK Group is also actively deploying in the field of new energy. SK E&S is engaged in renewable energy generation such as solar and wind power. SK Electronics' subsidiary is growing into a major supplier of batteries for electric vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Group
2. Hyundai Motor Group - $120.1 billion - Automobiles and parts
Hyundai Motor Group is South Korea's largest automobile manufacturer, with a turnover of US$120.1 billion in 2022, mainly from the automotive and parts business.
Hyundai Motor Group was founded in 1967 by heavy industry magnate Chung Joo-young and initially focused on automobile manufacturing. After more than 50 years of development, it has now become the world's fifth largest automobile group, with well-known vehicle brands such as Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, as well as various auto parts companies.
Hyundai Motor Group has five vehicle factories in South Korea and vehicle production bases in China, India, the United States, Russia, Turkey, and other countries around the world. Among them, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors produce and sell various sedans, SUVs, and commercial vehicles respectively to meet the global market.
At the same time, Hyundai MOBIS, Hyundai WIA and other subsidiaries are also major global auto parts suppliers. This provides strong support for Hyundai Motor Group's vehicle business.
Samsung Group
1. Samsung Group - $209.2 billion - Electronics, components, etc
Samsung Group is South Korea's largest conglomerate, with a turnover of $209.2 billion in 2022, mainly from electronics, components and other businesses.
Founded in 1938 by Lee Byung-cheol, Samsung Group started as a small-scale exporter and gradually expanded its business scope into many fields such as food processing, textiles, petrochemicals, and electronics. Among them, Samsung Electronics has been the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer for 14 consecutive years.
As the world's largest manufacturer of electronic components, Samsung Group owns a number of first-class semiconductor and display manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDI. This makes it an important supply chain partner for many machine manufacturers such as Apple and Huawei.
At the same time, subsidiaries such as Samsung Electronics and Samsung Telecom are also leading brands of smartphones and consumer electronics in the world. Among them, Samsung's mobile phone market share has ranked first in the world for many years.
With the two-wheel drive of electronic components and end products, Samsung Group has grown into a business empire ranked among the world's top 500 companies. It is also an important pillar of the Korean economy and is known as a "national treasure company" that has achieved the country's economic take-off.