Samsung Electronics secured the highest position in a nationwide environmental, social, and governance evaluation covering South Korea’s largest listed corporations, according to new findings released in Seoul.

The ranking, conducted by Happy ESG, assessed the top 250 companies by market capitalization based on disclosures contained in their ESG reports. Samsung Electronics received an A+ grade with a score of 89.9 points, placing it at the top of the overall standings.

The institute awards an S grade to companies scoring 90 points or higher, while firms earning between 85 and 89 points receive an A+ rating. Scores between 80 and 84 qualify for an A grade.

Close Competition Among Leading Corporations

KT&G Corp. ranked second overall with 89.8 points, narrowly trailing Samsung Electronics. Samsung C&T Corp. followed with 88.2 points, while Hanwha Aerospace Co. and SK hynix Inc. completed the top five with 88.0 and 87.6 points respectively.

The sector-specific results reflected strong performance across multiple industries. SK hynix led the information technology and semiconductor category, while Samsung C&T topped the building and shipbuilding segment.

In financial services, Hana Financial Group Inc. received the highest sector score. Kia Corp. ranked first in the automotive field, and Samsung Biologics Co. led the pharmaceutical category.

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Gradual Improvement in ESG Performance

The report noted that the average ESG score among the 250 companies reached 78.7 points this year, reflecting a 0.5-point increase compared with the previous year. The incremental rise suggests continued, though measured, progress in ESG disclosure quality and governance practices among South Korea’s major corporations.

The evaluation methodology centers on analysis of publicly disclosed ESG reports, indicating that transparency and reporting consistency remain critical components of performance outcomes.

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ESG as a Competitive Differentiator

For Samsung Electronics, the top ranking reinforces its positioning among global peers in governance and sustainability reporting. As investor scrutiny intensifies and regulatory frameworks evolve, ESG ratings are increasingly viewed as indicators of long-term risk management and operational resilience.

The close clustering of scores among leading companies also highlights a competitive environment in which incremental improvements in disclosure, governance structure, and sustainability strategy can influence rankings. With overall average scores trending upward, ESG performance continues to gain prominence within South Korea’s corporate landscape.

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