The total value of Korea's top 30 brands is 73 percent of the value of Japan's.

U.S. consultancy Interbrand on Thursday said Samsung Electronics ranked first in Korea with a brand value of W37.2 trillion. Next came Hyundai Motor (W8.5 trillion), Kia Motors (W4.6 trillion), SK Telecom (W4.3 trillion), POSCO (W2.7 trillion), Kookmin Bank, Samsung Life Insurance, NHN, Shinhan Credit Card and LG Electronics.

It estimated the combined value of the top 30 brands at W94.4 trillion, almost 73 percent of the total value of Japan's top 30 brands.

Worldwide, Samsung ranked at ninth last year, entering the top 10 for the first time, while Hyundai rose eight notches to 53rd and Kia stood at 87th to enter the top 100 for the first time.