Leading construction companies South Korea 2024, by building capacity

In 2024, Samsung C&T (Construction and Trading) was ranked as the leading South Korean construction company by estimated construction capability. The government’s annual construction capability evaluation measures a company’s performance based on construction contracts, business management, technical capabilities, and brand credibility. Based on this year’s evaluation, Samsung’s building capacity was measured as approximately 32 trillion South Korean won, almost double that of second-ranking Hyundai E&C, and nearly three times that of third-ranking Daewoo E&C. Samsung C&T, Hyundai E&C, Daewoo E&C, Hyundai Engineering, and GS E&C are considered Korea’s leading five construction companies. 

Major Korean construction companies

Samsung C&T’s estimated capacity was far greater than that of any other Korean construction company. It is not just a construction company, but is also involved in trade, food distribution, resorts and more, in contrast to the other big five companies. Construction was Samsung C&T’s most profitable business sector in 2023, posting almost 19 trillion South Korean won worth of sales that year, with a total of over 40 trillion won in profits from all sectors.

Korean construction industry

Of the approximately 150,000 construction permits issued in South Korea in 2023, nearly one-third were for residential and commercial buildings. The total sales value of the South Korean construction sector hit record highs in 2022.