How the Top Chaebol Dominate...
THE ECONOMY
Sales of companies controlled by Samsung, Daewoo, LG, Hyundai, and SK account for nearly half of GDP.
DEBT
The top five owe the banks and bondholders $128 billion, up 12% since the start of the crisis. The top five also account for 20% of all borrowing.
INDUSTRIES
The leading chaebol control semiconductor-manufacturing, auto-making, and shipbuilding industries.
RESTRUCTURING
Since the crisis, the big groups have restructured little, while 16 of the top 64 are undergoing workout programs with creditors.
...And How They Keep Expanding
DAEWOO
It's ramping up carmaking in Poland and India despite a glutted world auto market and troubles at home.
SAMSUNG
Failed in a bid to take over bankrupt Kia Motors. Now, pressure is growing to pull out of its ill-fated $3 billion auto venture.
HYUNDAI
The carmaker is taking on a $6 billion commitment to buy Kia Motors, investing in North Korean tourism, buying a retailer and merchant bank, and expanding its shipbuilding business.
DATA: BUSINESS WEEK
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