Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are for-profit businesses whose total assets do not exceed 500 billion South Korean won and which meet the criterion of independence (not a subsidiary of a large enterprise). Depending on the type of business, companies with average three-year sales of 40 billion South Korean won or less to 150 billion South Korean won or less are defined as SMEs.
Figures have been rounded.
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Number of SMEs South Korea 2023, by year of establishment
Of the approximately *** million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea, around *** million were established since 2020. The share of SMEs from recent decades is higher, while those that had been founded in the mid-**** century are gradually disappearing.
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KOSIS. (October 21, 2025). Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2023, by year of establishment (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from /statistics/1333381/south-korea-number-of-smes-by-establishment/
KOSIS. "Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2023, by year of establishment (in 1,000s)." Chart. October 21, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 30, 2026. /statistics/1333381/south-korea-number-of-smes-by-establishment/
KOSIS. (2025). Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2023, by year of establishment (in 1,000s). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 30, 2026. /statistics/1333381/south-korea-number-of-smes-by-establishment/
KOSIS. "Number of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Smes) in South Korea in 2023, by Year of Establishment (in 1,000s)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 21 Oct 2025, /statistics/1333381/south-korea-number-of-smes-by-establishment/
KOSIS, Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2023, by year of establishment (in 1,000s) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1333381/south-korea-number-of-smes-by-establishment/ (last visited July 30, 2026)
Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea in 2023, by year of establishment (in 1,000s) [Graph], KOSIS, October 21, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1333381/south-korea-number-of-smes-by-establishment/
