[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s top 10 conglomerates’ contribution to employment has shrunken although their assets reached a record high, data showed on Oct. 23.

According to Chaebul.com that specializes in information regarding family-led conglomerates, the 10 largest conglomerates’ employees accounted for 3.59 percent of the country’s working population at the end of last year. In comparison, the figure stood at 3.63 percent at the end of 2014.

In contrast, the value of their assets rose to over 1.144 quadrillion won (US$1.007 trillion), accounting for 27.22 percent of the combined assets of all corporations registered in Korea. 




The figures excludes assets held by companies in the finance sector.

In comparison, the top 10 conglomerates’ assets stood at about 1.108 quadrillion won in 2014, and at just under 1.068 quadrillion won in 2013.

By group, Samsung Group accounted for 7.24 percent of the total with 304.4 trillion won, while Hyundai Motor Group came in second with 202 trillion won, or 4.81 percent of the total.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)