Korea - Chicago Business Facts

At least 25 Korean-based companies with locations in greater Chicago

  • Samsung, LG, Hyundai
  • Korean Small Business Corporation Business Development Center – houses several Korean companies

More than 50 Chicago-area companies in Korea

  • ITW, Global Hyatt, United Airlines, Baxter, Ingredion, Motorola Solutions, Nalco

Recent Expansions:

  • LG R&D Center, 2011
  • LG Electronics, 2009
  • Samsung 2011
  • Hankook Tires, 2008

2012 Imports to the Chicago Customs District

  • Total: US$5.4 billion

Top Import Categories:

  • Electric Machinery; Sound Equip.; TV Equip. 
  • Industrial Machinery, Including Computers 
  • Vehicles, Except Railway or Tramway; Parts

2012 Exports from the Chicago Customs District

  • Total: US$1.8 billion

Top Export Categories:

  • Pharmaceutical Products
  • Optic, Photo, Medical or Surgical Instruments
  • Industrial Machinery, Including Computers

Chicago/Korea connections:

Korean Consulate General of the Midwest; Korea Trade Investment-Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Chicago

Korean ethnic support organizations and churches; 30 registered Korean cultural schools, 100+ other weekend schools; Korean TV and print outlets

Busan, Republic of Korea Sister City, since 2007

There are 11 weekly nonstop departures from Chicago airports to destinations in Korea.

Third largest Korean community in the US after NYC and LA; 4,200 Korean students; 3,000 ethnic Korean-owned businesses; 58,000 Koreans living in Illinois

Mayor Emanuel hosted Korean President Lee in October 2011

Korea Global Parternship, 2012 in Rosemont

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will visit Soeul in Feb. 2013

Busan Mayor Hur Nam-Sik visited Mayor Daley, Jan. 2009

CME-KRX listings agreement, 2008

Korean Expo 2009 held in Chicago at Navy Pier