In 2024, South Korea’s innovation ecosystem reached new heights, driven by its most influential companies that are shaping global technology trends. From semiconductor breakthroughs to AI-powered solutions, South Korean firms are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With a sharp rise in patent filings, companies like Samsung, LG and Hyundai are securing their place at the forefront of transformative industries.
Samsung, for instance, isn’t just focusing on improving existing products; it’s setting the stage for the next wave of technological advancement with cutting-edge research in areas such as AI chips and quantum computing. Remarkably, Samsung accounts for approximately 6% of all patents ever registered in South Korea, highlighting its pivotal role in the nation’s technological advancements.
LG, similarly, has doubled down on sustainable innovation, with new patents in green technologies, energy storage, and smart home solutions. Meanwhile, Hyundai is making strides in electric and autonomous vehicles, filing patents that will likely drive the future of mobility. These moves represent South Korea’s ambition to dominate global markets in key sectors, using intellectual property as a critical tool in its growth strategy.
This article tracks the top domestic patent filers in 2024, highlighting how these companies are leveraging intellectual property to fuel innovation and secure their competitive edge in an increasingly globalized market.
Top Leading South Korean Companies in 2024
| Rank | Company | Patent Published in 2024 | Patent Published in 2023 | YoY Change(%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 23525 | 23615 | -0.003811 | |
| LG | 18185 | 17864 | 0.017969 | |
| Hyundai Motor | 4849 | 5167 | -0.061544 | |
| Kia Corporation | 4722 | 4902 | -0.03672 | |
| Korea Electric Power Corporation | 2904 | 1541 | 0.884491 | |
| Hyundai Mobis | 2025 | 2144 | -0.055504 | |
| SK Hynix | 1887 | 1472 | 0.281929 | |
| SEMES Co Ltd | 1200 | 1308 | -0.082569 | |
| CJ CheilJedang | 874 | 821 | 0.064555 | |
| KT&G Co Ltd | 796 | 864 | -0.078704 | |
| SK On Co Ltd | 729 | 522 | 0.396552 | |
| Hanon Systems | 708 | 585 | 0.210256 | |
| HL Mando | 673 | 644 | 0.045031 | |
| KT Corporation | 600 | 549 | 0.092896 | |
| Hyundae Steel Co Ltd | 561 | 393 | 0.427481 | |
| Pohang Iron & Steel Company | 556 | 852 | -0.347418 | |
| LX Hausys | 545 | 483 | 0.128364 | |
| Osstemimplant Co Ltd | 458 | 338 | 0.35503 | |
| Dongwoo Fine Chem Co Ltd | 453 | 456 | -0.006579 | |
| EM Tech Co Ltd | 422 | 303 | 0.392739 | |
| HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering | 393 | 223 | 0.762332 | |
| Amorepacific | 373 | 356 | 0.047753 | |
| LIG Nex1 | 368 | 381 | -0.034121 | |
| Coway Co Ltd | 367 | 433 | -0.152425 | |
| LS Electric Co Ltd | 358 | 424 | -0.15566 | |
| SK Telecom | 358 | 337 | 0.062315 | |
| LX Semicon | 348 | 252 | 0.380952 | |
| Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power | 339 | 375 | -0.096 | |
| Doosan Enerbility | 304 | 219 | 0.388128 | |
| HD Hyundai Samho | 271 | – | – | |
| Hanwha Solutions | 268 | 190 | 0.410526 | |
| Wonik IPS Co Ltd | 254 | 232 | 0.094828 | |
| SK Innovation | 250 | 168 | 0.488095 | |
| HL Klemove Corporation | 240 | 239 | 0.004184 | |
| Kolon Industries | 239 | 313 | -0.236422 | |
| Yura Corp Co Ltd | 238 | 280 | -0.15 | |
| Duk San Neolux | 232 | 131 | 0.770992 | |
| LOTTE Chemical | 219 | 184 | 0.190217 | |
| Bodyfriend Co Ltd | 213 | 222 | -0.040541 | |
| COSMAX Inc | 211 | 207 | 0.019324 | |
| LS Mtron | 191 | 211 | -0.094787 | |
| Seoyon E-Hwa Co Ltd | 189 | 225 | -0.16 | |
| Korea Electric Terminal | 184 | 170 | 0.082353 | |
| Kolmar Korea | 182 | 191 | -0.04712 | |
| SL Corporation | 181 | 159 | 0.138365 | |
| KD Navien | 181 | 214 | -0.154206 | |
| Hanwha Systems | 177 | 133 | 0.330827 | |
| KCC Corporation | 173 | 135 | 0.281481 | |
| KC Tech | 169 | 176 | -0.039773 | |
| Dl E&C Co Ltd | 156 | 160 | -0.025 |
In 2024, a clear trend emerged among South Korea’s top patent-filing companies: a focus on cutting-edge technologies, with many leading firms concentrating their efforts in overlapping domains such as electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, smart technologies and energy solutions. This shared strategic direction highlights how South Korea’s industrial giants are not only driving innovation within their own sectors but are also positioning themselves as global leaders in critical technological advancements.
For instance, Kia and Hyundai Motor, both part of the automotive sector, are investing heavily in electric mobility and autonomous driving systems, though both companies saw a decrease in patent filings compared to 2023 (-3.67% and -6.15%, respectively). This suggests an intense focus on refining existing technologies rather than exploring innovations this year. On the other hand, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) experienced a remarkable 88.45% increase in patent filings, underscoring its significant investments in sustainable energy solutions and smart grids, which are becoming key drivers of innovation in the energy sector.
In the semiconductor and electronics space, SK Hynix and Samsung remain dominant players. SK Hynix saw a 28.19% increase in its patent filings, signaling its continued investment in next-gen memory chips and AI integration. Meanwhile, Samsung’s slight decline of 0.38% in patent filings might indicate a strategic pause after years of rapid innovation, particularly in the fields of AI, 5G, and mobile technology.
Behind every breakthrough in South Korea, there’s an inventor making it happen. Check out our Top 50 Inventors in South Korea and discover the minds reshaping industries, both domestically and globally.
As we turn our attention to the educational sector, we’ll explore how South Korea’s top universities are contributing to this innovation surge. In 2024, universities are playing a pivotal role in the country’s IP activity, not only driving research but also laying the groundwork for future technologies through active patent filings. We’ll take a closer look at the top 50 universities leading the charge in patenting in 2024, showcasing their contributions to South Korea’s innovation ecosystem.
Which Universities Are Driving Innovation in South Korea Through Patents in 2024?
| University | Patents |
| Electronics & Telecommunications Research Institute | 2106 |
| Seoul National University | 1433 |
| Korea Advanced Institute Of Science & Technology | 1424 |
| Korea Electronics Technology Institute | 811 |
| National Institute Of Environmental Research | 760 |
| Ulsan National Institute Of Science & Technology | 606 |
| Korea Research Institute Of Chemical Technology | 582 |
| Korea Institute Of Science & Technology | 567 |
| Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute Of Science And Technology | 439 |
| Korea Institute Of Machinery & Materials | 407 |
| Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute | 400 |
| Korea Institute Of Energy Research | 371 |
| Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute | 354 |
| Korea Automotive Technology Institute | 318 |
| Korea Institute Of Ocean Science & Technology | 306 |
| Research Institute Of Industrial Science & Technology | 306 |
| Korea Railroad Research Institute | 303 |
| Korea Institute Of Ceramic Engineering & Technology | 294 |
| Gwangju Institute Of Science & Technology | 251 |
| Korea Institute Of Civil Engineering & Building Technology | 241 |
| Korea Aerospace Research Institute | 241 |
| Korea Photonics Technology Institute | 239 |
| Korea Institute Of Robotics & Technology Convergence | 217 |
| Korea Research InstituteOf Standards & Science | 158 |
| Korea Research Institute Of Bioscience & Biotechnology | 153 |
| Korea Food Research Institute | 152 |
| Korea Institute Of Materials Science | 150 |
| Korea Institute Of Oriental Medicine | 121 |
| Korea Institute Of Geoscience And Mineral Resources | 76 |
| Institue For Basic Science | 60 |
| Korea Institute Of Fusion Energy | 60 |
| Gumi Electronics & Information Technology Research Institute | 53 |
| Korea Institute Of Radiological & Medical Sciences | 50 |
| Korea Institute Of Science & Technology Information | 48 |
| Korea Textile Machinery Convergence Research Institute | 42 |
| Korea Basic Science Institute | 41 |
| Center For Advanced Meta Materials | 39 |
| Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute | 37 |
| National Marine Biodiversity Institute Of Korea | 37 |
| National Institute Of Ecology | 37 |
| Advanced Institute Of Convergence Technology | 35 |
| Nakdonggang National Institute Of Biological Resources | 35 |
| Korea Fire Industry Technology Institute | 33 |
| National Institute Of Forest Science | 32 |
| Silla University | 31 |
| National Institute For Korean Medicine Development | 31 |
| Korea Textile Development Institute | 29 |
| Daegu Mechatronics & Materials Institute | 26 |
| Baekseok University | 26 |
| Doowon Technical College | 24 |
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) emerged as the leading entity with its focus spanning several critical areas, including immersive video encoding/decoding, anomaly detection systems and advancements in wireless communication technologies. Seoul National University’s collaborations with industry leaders, such as Samsung Electronics, have facilitated the translation of academic research into practical applications.
These institutions’ collective efforts reflect a concerted drive towards technological advancement, particularly in sectors such as AI, semiconductors, sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing. Their research not only contributes to South Korea’s innovation ecosystem but also enhances its competitiveness in the global market.
In 2024, South Korea’s patent landscape highlighted the powerful synergy between its leading companies and top academic institutions. Corporate giants like Samsung, LG and Hyundai, alongside research powerhouses like ETRI, SNU and KAIST, are driving innovation across AI, semiconductors, electric vehicles and clean energy. This collaborative focus on cutting-edge technologies positions South Korea as a global leader in innovation, ensuring its competitive edge for the future.