South Korea's Patent Applications Surpass 260,000 for the First Time! "Korean Imprint" Added to the Global Innovation Landscape

The Korea Intellectual Property Office recently released authoritative data showing that the total number of patent applications in South Korea reached 260,797 in 2025, an increase of 5.9% compared to the previous year, surpassing the 260,000 mark for the first time. This makes South Korea the fourth country in the world to achieve this milestone, following Japan (1984), the United States (1999), and China (2008). This data signifies that South Korea's position in the global innovation competition has been further consolidated, with particularly outstanding performances in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and secondary batteries.

Comprehensive Growth in Domestic Applications

Individual applications increased by 15.0%, and applications from mid-sized enterprises grew by 13.7%, indicating a significant rise in innovation vitality among startups and technology-focused teams.

In the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, patent applications numbered 27,033 (+21.1%), covering key technologies such as AI algorithms and quantum computing. In the secondary battery field, applications reached 10,624 (+14.4%), with major companies like LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI leading the technological布局.

Accelerated Overseas Expansion

Patent applications filed by South Korean companies with the five major intellectual property offices (IP5) totaled 67,025 (+17.6%). Among these, the US market accounted for 49.2% (32,976 applications), while applications in China surged by 72.3% (16,621 applications), setting a new historical record.

The Korea Intellectual Property Office stated that it will strengthen support for overseas patent applications, particularly targeting the Southeast Asian and Indian markets.