Why did conglomerate-affiliated firms decline in South Korea according to the FTC?

The FTC said large business groups were carrying out portfolio restructuring to look for new business opportunities as the industrial landscape changes. That restructuring led to more removals than additions over the period.

How many affiliates did South Korea's conglomerates have as of Aug. 3?

The country's 102 conglomerates held 3,534 affiliates as of Aug. 3. That was four fewer than the 3,538 counted three months earlier.

Which conglomerates added or removed the most affiliates in the FTC's latest count?

SK Group cut seven companies, DB removed 11 firms and Hyosung dropped six. On the addition side, Hyosung added 11 companies and GS Group gained nine new affiliates.

Conglomerate-affiliated firms decline amid portfolio restructuring: FTC

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Summary

The Fair Trade Commission said the number of conglomerate-affiliated companies in South Korea fell slightly as large business groups continued portfolio restructuring. The country's 102 conglomerates held 3,534 affiliates as of Aug. 3, down by four from three months earlier. SK Group, DB and Hyosung reduced affiliates, while Hyosung and GS Group also added new firms. The FTC said groups are restructuring to seek new business opportunities amid an industrial transition.

Key Facts

The FTC said 79 companies were removed from conglomerate affiliate lists over the period, while 75 were newly added.
SK Group cut seven companies under its wing, DB removed 11 firms and Hyosung dropped six.
Hyosung added 11 companies, while GS Group gained nine new affiliates.
Korean law requires conglomerates with assets of 5 trillion won or more to disclose their business status and details of large-scale internal trade.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 14, 2026 10:32 am KST

Office buildings in southern Seoul / gettyimagesbank

The antitrust regulator said Friday that the number of conglomerate-affiliated companies fell slightly from three months earlier, amid industrywide portfolio restructuring efforts.

The country's 102 conglomerates held 3,534 affiliates as of Aug. 3, down by four from 3,538 tallied three months earlier, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

Over the period, 79 companies were removed from the list due to mergers, separations and other rearrangements, while 75 were newly added.

SK Group cut seven companies under its wing, with DB removing 11 firms and Hyosung dropping six.

Hyosung, meanwhile, also added 11 companies, while GS Group gained nine new affiliates.

The FTC said large business groups have conducted portfolio restructuring to seek new business opportunities amid a transition in the overall industrial landscape.

Under Korean law, conglomerates with assets of 5 trillion won ($3.82 billion) or higher are obligated to disclose the status of their businesses, along with details of large-scale internal trade.

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