South Korea Automation and Industrial Control Market Size, Share, Analysis, Trends (2025 - 2030)

South Korea Automation and Industrial Control Market Analysis

The South Korea Automation and Industrial Control Market size is estimated at USD 7.43 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 11.81 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.72% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

South Korea has established itself as a global leader in industrial automation, particularly evident in its manufacturing sector's remarkable industrial robotics adoption. According to the International Federation of Robotics' World Robotics 2022 Report, South Korea ranks first globally in robot density, with 1,000 industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees, which is seven times higher than the global average. This technological advancement is further supported by the government's ambitious vision to establish 30,000 fully automated manufacturing firms by 2025, focusing on cutting-edge automation, data exchange, and industrial IoT technologies. The integration of advanced technologies has transformed traditional manufacturing facilities into smart factories, where machinery and facilities optimize processes through automation.

The semiconductor industry serves as a cornerstone of South Korea's industrial automation landscape, accounting for 18.9% of the country's total exports in 2022. Major players like Samsung Electronics have announced significant investments, including a USD 230 billion commitment through 2042 to construct five new memory and foundry factories as part of the government's plan to create a mega semiconductor center in Yongin. These developments are driving the adoption of sophisticated automation solutions, including advanced robotics, sensor technologies, and control systems, essential for maintaining precision and efficiency in semiconductor manufacturing.

The automotive sector represents another crucial domain for manufacturing automation technology implementation, with the industry contributing over 10% to the country's manufacturing output. In 2022, South Korea manufactured approximately 3.76 million vehicles, demonstrating the sector's substantial scale and automation requirements. The industry's transformation is particularly evident in the electric vehicle segment, where the government has set an ambitious target to increase the proportion of electric and hydrogen vehicles in new vehicle sales to 33% by 2030, necessitating advanced automation solutions for modern manufacturing processes.

The virtualization of industrial control systems has emerged as a transformative trend in the market, enabling optimized resource utilization and significant operational cost savings. This advancement allows different operating systems to function on top of a primary system using virtual machines, applicable across various industrial premises including servers, storage, and networks. Industrial system architects and integrators are leveraging these connected computing advances to enhance manufacturing facility efficiency, while the increasing penetration of big data analytics is facilitating the shift from reactive to predictive operational practices, fundamentally changing how industries approach process automation and performance enhancement.

South Korea Automation and Industrial Control Market Trends

Inclination of Manufacturers Toward Cost-efficient Processes

Factory automation has become instrumental in helping manufacturing organizations reduce costs through multiple channels, including waste elimination, error reduction, and efficiency enhancement. By automating routine tasks, manufacturers can significantly decrease the costs associated with labor-intensive manual processes while making better use of their resources. Automated systems efficiently handle various tasks like material handling, inventory management, and quality control, reducing the need for manual intervention and allowing organizations to redirect their human resources to more critical operations. This optimization extends to inventory management, where automated systems help prevent overstocking and stockouts, thereby reducing carrying costs and the risk of obsolete inventory.

The implementation of automated systems has demonstrated substantial benefits in quality control and maintenance operations. Industrial control systems enable real-time monitoring and control of production processes, ensuring consistent quality standards and prompt detection of potential issues. The predictive maintenance capabilities of these systems help optimize production schedules, minimize unplanned downtime, and reduce maintenance and repair costs. Furthermore, automation systems can be easily scaled and reconfigured to accommodate changing production demands, providing businesses with the flexibility to respond quickly to market fluctuations while optimizing resource allocation and avoiding costly underutilization or overutilization of equipment and labor. The technology also facilitates rapid adaptation to varying product specifications or customization requirements, allowing businesses to efficiently switch between different products or production lines to meet customer demands more effectively.

Segment Analysis: By Product

Industrial Robotics Segment in South Korea Automation and Industrial Control Market

The industrial robotics segment has emerged as the dominant force in South Korea's automation and industrial control market, commanding approximately 28% market share in 2024, with a market value of USD 1,864.36 million. This significant market position is driven by South Korea's strong emphasis on manufacturing automation, particularly in the automotive and electronics sectors. The segment's growth is further bolstered by the country's position as a global leader in robot density, with approximately 1,000 industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees. The increasing adoption of collaborative robots, articulated robots, and SCARA robots across various industries, coupled with government initiatives to promote smart manufacturing, has solidified the segment's market leadership. Major companies like Samsung and Hyundai are making substantial investments in robotics technology, particularly in applications such as welding, painting, assembly, and material handling, further strengthening the segment's market position.

HMI Segment in South Korea Automation and Industrial Control Market

The Human-Machine Interface (HMI) segment is demonstrating remarkable growth potential, with an expected growth rate of approximately 10% from 2024 to 2029. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for advanced visualization and control interfaces in manufacturing facilities. The adoption of cloud-enabled HMI platforms is revolutionizing how operators interact with industrial systems, offering enhanced mobility and flexibility in visualization. The integration of emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and voice recognition into HMI systems is creating new possibilities for industrial control and monitoring. Furthermore, the segment's growth is supported by the rising need for remote monitoring and maintenance capabilities, particularly in complex manufacturing environments. The development of more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, combined with improved data analytics capabilities, is making HMI systems increasingly indispensable in South Korea's journey toward smart factory implementation.

Remaining Segments in Product Segmentation

The other segments in the market, including distributed control systems (DCS), SCADA, PLCs, Process Safety Systems, Sensors and Transmitters, Electric Motors, and Variable Frequency Drives, each play crucial roles in the automation ecosystem. DCS systems are particularly vital in process industries, while SCADA systems are essential for large-scale industrial operations and infrastructure monitoring. PLCs continue to be the backbone of industrial automation, providing reliable control solutions. Process Safety Systems are becoming increasingly important as industries focus on workplace safety and regulatory compliance. Sensors and transmitters are critical for data collection and monitoring, while Electric Motors and Variable Frequency Drives are fundamental components in motion control applications. These segments collectively contribute to the comprehensive automation solutions required by modern industrial facilities in South Korea.

Segment Analysis: By End User Industry

Semiconductor & Electronics Segment in South Korea Automation and Industrial Control Market

The Semiconductor & Electronics segment dominates the South Korea Automation and Industrial Control market, holding approximately 31% market share in 2024. This significant market position is driven by South Korea's role as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, with the sector accounting for about 18% of the country's total exports. The government's strategic initiatives to strengthen domestic semiconductor production capabilities have led to substantial investments in automation technologies. Major players like Samsung Electronics are investing heavily in establishing new semiconductor research and development complexes, while implementing advanced automation solutions to enhance productivity and maintain quality standards. The segment's prominence is further reinforced by the Korean government's commitment to providing enhanced tax incentives for research and development in semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to encourage investments exceeding KRW 340 trillion by 2026.

Automotive Segment in South Korea Automation and Industrial Control Market

The Automotive segment is experiencing the highest growth trajectory in the South Korea Automation and Industrial Control market, with an expected growth rate of approximately 13% during 2024-2029. This remarkable growth is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of automation technologies in vehicle manufacturing processes, particularly in electric vehicle production. Major automotive manufacturers are making substantial investments in automated manufacturing facilities, with companies like Hyundai Motor Group announcing significant investments in new electric vehicle manufacturing plants incorporating intelligent systems and automation. The segment's growth is further accelerated by the implementation of advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence for autonomous quality control systems, robotic assembly lines, and automated material handling systems. The trend toward smart manufacturing and the integration of Industry 4.0 principles in automotive production facilities continues to drive the demand for sophisticated automation solutions.

Remaining Segments in End User Industry

The other segments in the market, including Chemical & Petrochemical, Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Water and Wastewater, and Other End-user Industries, each play crucial roles in driving the adoption of automation and industrial control systems. The Chemical & Petrochemical sector emphasizes process safety and efficiency through automated control systems, while the Oil & Gas segment focuses on remote monitoring and control capabilities. The Power Generation sector is witnessing increased automation adoption in both conventional and renewable energy facilities, while the Water and Wastewater segment is implementing smart monitoring and control systems for improved resource management. These segments collectively contribute to the market's diverse application landscape, with each sector driving innovation in specific areas of industrial automation and control technologies.