58% of Top 500 Korean Companies' Production Bases Concentrated in Youngnam and Chungcheong, Only 15% in Honam

Automobile and Petrochemical Bases Concentrated in Youngnam
Incheon and Gyeonggi Specialize in Food, Chungcheong in Semiconductors
Honam, Seoul, Gangwon, and Jeju Account for 18.5%

The region with the highest concentration of production bases among Korea's top 500 companies is Youngnam, according to recent data. More than half of all production bases are concentrated in the Youngnam and Chungcheong regions, while the combined share of Honam and other regions (Seoul, Gangwon, and Jeju) is only 18.5%, highlighting pronounced regional disparities.

On September 16, the Corporate Data Research Institute CEO Score analyzed the locations of 752 production bases belonging to 210 manufacturing companies within the domestic top 500 companies (selected based on sales in 2026 and having production bases in Korea according to business reports). The analysis found that the Youngnam region (Busan, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang, North Gyeongsang, and Daegu) hosts the largest number of production bases, with 256 sites (34.0%).

The Chungcheong region (North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, Daejeon, Sejong) follows with 179 sites (23.8%), then Incheon and Gyeonggi with 178 sites (23.7%), Honam region (North Jeolla, South Jeolla, Gwangju) with 116 sites (15.4%), and finally Seoul, Gangwon, and Jeju with 23 sites (3.1%).

Combined, the Youngnam and Chungcheong regions account for 435 sites, representing 57.8% of all production bases. In contrast, only 139 sites (18.5%) are located in the Honam region, Seoul, Gangwon, and Jeju, showcasing a clear regional imbalance in production base locations.

Corporate Data Research Institute CEO Score

By product category, food production bases are the most numerous nationwide, with 165 sites (21.9%). This is followed by: automobiles (133 sites, 17.7%), petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals (122 sites, 16.2%), metals (46 sites, 6.1%), electrical & electronics (45 sites, 6.0%), construction materials (45 sites, 6.0%), semiconductors (41 sites, 5.5%), daily necessities (38 sites, 5.1%), fertilizers and feed (27 sites, 3.6%), secondary batteries (25 sites, 3.3%), defense supplies (24 sites, 3.2%), shipbuilding and machinery (22 sites, 2.9%), and displays (19 sites, 2.5%).

The dominant product categories differ by region. The food category, which accounts for the largest share of all production bases, is most prevalent in Incheon and Gyeonggi, with 52 sites. This is attributed to the area's large population and high purchasing power.

In the Youngnam region, production bases for traditional manufacturing industries such as automobiles (60 sites), petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals (50 sites), and metals (19 sites) are concentrated. In the automobile sector, Sungwoo Hitech (7 sites), DY Auto (5 sites), and Hyundai WIA (4 sites) are representative companies. For petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, Kolon Industries (9 sites), Hyosung Chemical (4 sites), and Hanwha Solutions (3 sites) operate production facilities in the region.

There are 105 production bases for electrical & electronics, semiconductors, and displays nationwide. Of these, 67 sites (63.8%) are concentrated in Incheon, Gyeonggi, and the Chungcheong region: 35 sites (33.3%) in Incheon and Gyeonggi, and 32 sites (30.5%) in Chungcheong. Notably, of the 41 semiconductor production bases, 31 (75.6%) are clustered in Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Chungcheong.

Major companies with production bases in Incheon and Gyeonggi include Korea Circuit (4 sites), Samsung Electronics (3 sites), and Kyungdong Navien (3 sites). In Chungcheong, Samsung Display (3 sites), LS ELECTRIC (3 sites), and Taihan Cable (3 sites) each maintain production bases.

In the Honam region, 37 out of all production bases are dedicated to petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, the largest share in the area. Of these, 25 base material and petrochemical production facilities are focused around the Yeosu National Industrial Complex. The region's leading companies include Hanwha Solutions (4 sites), Kumho Petrochemical (4 sites), and DL Chemical (4 sites).

The company with the most production bases nationwide is Hanil Cement, operating 19 sites (2.53%). Hanil Cement has production facilities in Incheon & Gyeonggi (7 sites), Chungcheong (6 sites), Youngnam (4 sites), Honam (1 site), and Gangwon (1 site), thereby establishing a nationwide supply chain.

CJ CheilJedang and Dongwon F&B followed, each with 15 sites (1.99%). Others in the top 10 include Kolon Industries (14 sites, 1.86%), LG Chem (12 sites, 1.60%), Daesang (11 sites, 1.46%), Lotte Wellfood (11 sites, 1.46%), Lotte Chilsung Beverage (11 sites, 1.46%), KCC Glass (10 sites, 1.33%), and Sunjin (10 sites, 1.33%).

Six of the top 10 companies are in the food and beverage sector, expanding their supply networks by locating facilities near consumption points to better maintain freshness and respond to demand.

Kolon Industries owns nine production bases in the Youngnam region, primarily centered around the Gimcheon Industrial Complex in North Gyeongsang. LG Chem has placed its six Chungcheong-region production bases around the Cheongju Industrial Complex, known for secondary batteries, while situating five more in Honam around the Iksan Industrial Complex, thereby aligning facility locations with major industry clusters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.