SK Hynix Overtakes Samsung as South Korea’s Most Valuable Company

In a historic shift driven by the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix has surpassed Samsung Electronics to become South Korea’s most valuable listed company, ending Samsung’s 26-year dominance in the country’s stock market.

During trading on the Seoul Stock Exchange on Monday (June 22), SK Hynix shares surged 5.7 percent, pushing the company’s market capitalization to 2,082.5 trillion Korean won (approximately $1.35 trillion). At the same time, Samsung Electronics’ market value stood at 2,081.3 trillion won.

This marks the first time since 2000 that any company has overtaken Samsung as South Korea’s largest publicly traded firm. Samsung, however, noted in a statement that its total market capitalization would reach 2,252 trillion won if its preferred shares were included in the calculation.

Analysts describe the achievement as one of the most remarkable corporate turnarounds in recent history. Two decades ago, SK Hynix was struggling under heavy debt and was on the verge of collapse. In 2003, its share price had fallen to just 135 won, making it a penny stock in the Korean market.

The company’s dramatic rise has been fueled by its leadership in High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) chips, a critical component for AI processors used by global technology giants such as NVIDIA and Google. While the traditional memory-chip market experienced downturns, SK Hynix continued investing in HBM technology, positioning itself at the forefront of the AI revolution.

By 2025, the company had captured 61 percent of the global HBM market, compared with Samsung’s 17 percent share.

SK Hynix’s stock has climbed nearly 340 percent this year alone, making it the world’s most valuable memory-chip manufacturer. In a recent book, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won highlighted the strategic importance of HBM chips, noting that unlike conventional memory products, HBM components are not easily replaceable in advanced AI systems.

Market analysts believe SK Hynix is now challenging Samsung not only in market value but also in production capacity. The company plans to expand chip production by around 38 percent between 2025 and 2028. It is also considering a listing on the U.S.-based Nasdaq stock exchange to strengthen its global presence and attract international investors.

DBTech/BMT/OR