Number of business groups subject to cross-shareholding ban South Korea 2017-2024

In 2024, 48 business groups in South Korea were subject to limitations on cross-shareholding. Under South Korea’s Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act, a domestic member company of a business group is not allowed to acquire or hold shares of an affiliated company that in turn acquires or holds shares in that member company. This regulation applies to domestic affiliates of corporate groups whose total assets amount to ten trillion South Korean won or more.

Family-owned conglomerates in South Korea

There is no specific definition of South Korean chaebols, which are also known as large family conglomerates. They can nevertheless be characterized as large business groups controlled by members of the founding family and to which numerous subsidiaries are subordinate. Each year, the Korea Fair Trade Commission designates large business groups subject to disclosure obligations and cross-shareholding restrictions. This is to prevent excessive concentration of economic power on such large companies and to make information about them available to the public.

South Korea’s leading chaebol groups

Samsung Group, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Company, and LG Group together form the largest chaebol groups in South Korea. Samsung Group was South Korea’s largest chaebol by total assets and revenue in recent years. These top four groups account for a large part of the South Korean stock market's value.