According to recent reports, while Korea's top 500 companies achieved overall profit growth in the first half of the year, this performance was almost entirely supported by semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix alone. Excluding this single company, the remaining enterprises saw profits decline by 1.7% compared to the same period last year, highlighting the operational pressures and structural challenges facing Korea's large corporations.

According to a report by CEO SCORE, a Korean corporate data research institute, 342 companies had submitted their semi-annual financial reports by June, with total sales reaching 1,655.2 trillion won (approximately 1,000 won equals 5.2 yuan), representing a 5.5% year-on-year increase. However, amid expanding economic uncertainty, tariff barriers, and intensifying global competition, most companies experienced significant declines in profitability.

Samsung Electronics saw its operating profit plummet by 33.4% in the first half, falling to 11.36 trillion won. Hyundai Motor and Kia suffered substantial revenue losses due to increased U.S. automotive tariffs.

In stark contrast, SK Hynix capitalized exclusively on the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, with operating profits surging 99.3% year-on-year to 16.65 trillion won in the first half, securing the top position. Particularly in the high bandwidth memory (HBM) market - a core component for AI semiconductors - Hynix holds an almost monopolistic position, with second-quarter profits alone exceeding 9 trillion won, becoming the engine supporting overall large enterprise profitability.

Commentary notes that the first-half performance reflects Korean companies' predicament due to tariff conflicts, China's rapid advancement, and failures in future industry positioning. Samsung Electronics lagged in HBM competition, leading to significant profit declines. Hyundai Motor and Kia faced pressure from U.S. tariffs. The petrochemical and battery industries suffered severe losses, with companies on the brink of bankruptcy.

The analysis indicates that Korea's manufacturing sector, which supports the economy, is experiencing an overall crisis, while long-term contradictions such as low birth rates, aging population, militant labor unions, and excessive regulation remain unresolved, with potential growth rates having fallen to the 1% range.