S. Korea's brand power ranks 10th worldwide: report

SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's national brand power ranked 10th in the
world this year as measured in terms of products and services sold abroad,
numbers of inbound tourists and familiarity polls taken by foreigners, a
state-run think tank said Thursday.
The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET) said at the 2009
Korea Brand Conference in Seoul that the value of the country's brand power was
calculated at US$1.14 trillion for 2009.
This marks the third year in a row that the country ranked 10th among 40
countries surveyed, according to the institute. The total represents the second
straight year South Korea's brand value has exceeded $1 trillion.
KIET's Institute of Industrial Policy Studies report said the United States
remained at the top of the ladder with its brand power rated at $10.37 trillion,
followed by Germany, Britain, Japan and France. Other countries that scored above
South Korea were China, Canada, Italy and the Netherlands.
Japan's brand value stood at $2.85 trillion, with that for China reaching $2.12
trillion.
Among local companies, Samsung Electronics Co. maintained the lead slot with its
name value totaling 20.05 trillion won (US$17.38 billion). The world's largest
memory chipmaker and second-largest mobile phone maker has led the pack for the
past nine years.
Hyundai Motor Co. came in second at 8.23 trillion won, and LG Electronics coming
third at 7.18 trillion won. Kia Motor Corp. and GS Caltex Corp. filled out the
top five.
The institute said that Samsung's high value came from well-established name
recognition around the world and efforts by the company to broaden its product
portfolio and market share amid a worldwide economic downturn.
Other local companies that led specific business sectors were Shinhan Bank,
Samsung Life Insurance, Lotte Department Store, discount store chain E-Mart and
NHN Corp., which operates the Naver Internet portal site.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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