The number of subsidiaries of the nation's top 10 family-owned conglomerates has mushroomed in the last 10 years.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service, the areas of business in which these conglomerates were involved increased from 39 in 2001 to 56 as of the end of last year, a 43.5 percent rise. They are thus engaged in 73.4 percent of the 76 areas of business in Korea.

The total number of subsidiaries increased from 303 in 2001 to 592 as of the end of last year, a staggering 95.4 percent increase.

Samsung Group saw the number of subsidiaries rise from 20 in 2001 to 26 last year, while Hyundai Motor Group's increased from 10 to 21 over the same period. SK Group's subsidiaries increased from 20 to 30, LG Group's from 18 to 23 and Lotte Group's from 16 to 25.

Among the total 76 business areas, all top 10 chaebols are involved in the sports and leisure industries. That means each has at least one professional sports team, resort and leisure business.