韩媒：韩国500强企业盈利下滑，几乎仅SK海力士坚挺

Group 1 - The overall profitability of South Korea's top 500 companies increased in the first half of the year, primarily driven by SK Hynix, while excluding this company, profits for other firms declined by 1.7% compared to the same period last year, highlighting operational pressures and structural challenges faced by large enterprises in South Korea [1][3] - A report from SCORE indicated that 342 companies reported a total sales revenue of 1,655.2 trillion KRW (approximately 1,000 KRW equals 5.2 CNY), reflecting a year-on-year growth of 5.5%. However, many companies experienced a significant decline in profitability due to economic uncertainties, tariff barriers, and intensified global competition [3] - Samsung Electronics saw a drastic drop in operating profit by 33.4%, falling to 11.36 trillion KRW, while Hyundai and Kia faced substantial revenue losses due to increased automotive tariffs in the U.S. [3] Group 2 - In contrast, SK Hynix benefited from the AI boom, with operating profit soaring by 99.3% year-on-year to 16.65 trillion KRW, solidifying its position as a leading player. The company holds a near-monopoly in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market, with second-quarter profits exceeding 9 trillion KRW, serving as a key driver for overall corporate profitability [3] - Commentary from the Chosun Ilbo noted that the performance in the first half of the year reflects the struggles of South Korean companies due to tariff conflicts, rapid competition from China, and failures in future industry planning. Samsung Electronics lagged in the HBM competition, leading to significant profit declines, while the petrochemical and battery sectors faced severe losses, pushing companies to the brink of bankruptcy [3] - The manufacturing sector, which has traditionally supported the South Korean economy, is facing a comprehensive crisis, compounded by long-term issues such as low birth rates, aging population, strong labor unions, and excessive regulation, resulting in a potential growth rate that has fallen to around 1% [3]