KSIC: The Korean Standard Industrial Classification

The 11th revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 11) was released on 1 January 2024 and took effect in effect on 1 July 2024. It is based on the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 4.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 10 and KSIC Rev. 11

While maintaining the structure of KSIC Rev. 10, KSIC Rev. 11 introduced new categories for key emerging industries in Korea while consolidating those that have lost economic weight over the years. KSIC Rev. 11 added categories for growth sectors related to the green economy such as hydrogen production, secondary batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy sources like wind power. In line with current technological developments, categories were also added for digital and platform-based businesses such as virtual asset trading and video/audio streaming services. On the other hand, some traditional manufacturing and services activities such as tire retreading, copper castings, photography and projectors, and some transport activities were consolidated. In keeping with international standards, social security and public pension categories were also relocated from financial services to public administration.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 11

KSIC Rev. 11 is structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Sections: 21 sections represented by capital letters A to U.

• Divisions: 77 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 234 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 501 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-classes: 1205 sub-classes represented by five-digit numeric codes. This is the most granular level of detail in KSIC Rev. 11 reflecting the specificities of the Korean economy.

The table below shows the subcategories of each of the 21 sections of KSIC Rev. 11. The manufacturing sector (section C) is the most detailed in KSIC Rev 11 with 480 sub-classes, followed by sections G (Wholesale and retail trade) and section C (Construction) with 46 and 186 sub-classes respectively. The agricultural sector (Section A) of KSIC Rev. 11, with only 33 sub-classes, is not as detailed as other Asian national classifications like PSIC 2019 (Philippines) or NIC 2008 (India) which both have well over 100 agricultural sub-classes. This reflects Korea's more technologically advanced position with a lower importance of agricultural activities.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 11 (Current) - Manual (Korean and English)

• KSIC Rev. 11 (Current) - Code File (Korean)- Excel

The 10th revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 10) was in effect in Korea from 2017 to 2024. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 4.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 9 and KSIC Rev. 10

Following the release of ISIC Rev. 4 in 2008, KSIC Rev. 10 continued the national implementation initiated in KSIC Rev. 9. Several new sub-classes were created for growing industries at the time such as Biofuel and mixture manufacturing (20495); Carbon fiber manufacturing (23995); Energy storage device (ESS) manufacturing (28114); and Solar power generation (35114). Reflecting the rise of the internet, new sub-classes were also created such as for E-commerce retail brokerage business (47911) and Mobile game software development and supply business (58212), among several others. In addition to new sub-classes, KSIC Rev. 10 also consolidated and retitled several subclasses from KSIC Rev. 9.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 10

KSIC Rev. 10 was structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Sections: 21 sections represented by capital letters A to U.

• Divisions: 77 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 232 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 495 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-classes: 1196 sub-classes represented by five-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 10 - Manual (Korean and English)

• KSIC Rev. 10 - Code File (Korean & English) - Excel

The 9th revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 9) was in effect in Korea from 2008 to 2017. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 4.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 8 and KSIC Rev. 9

With the release of ISIC Rev. 4 in 2008 KSIC Rev. 9 was a major update of KSIC Rev. 8 with changes virtually all through the system. A notable development in KSIC Rev. 9 was the reclassification of information and communication-related industries located across KSIC rev. 8 such as publishing, video production, broadcasting and communication, to the section J (Information and communication). Similarly, in line with the significance of environment-related activities, KSIC Rev 9 created a new section E (Sewerage, waste management, materials recovery and remediation activities) bringing together raw material recycling, sewage treatment, environmental restoration, and related activities from different sections of KSIC Rev 8.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 9

KSIC Rev. 9 was structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Sections: 21 sections represented by the capital letters A to U.

• Divisions: 76 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 228 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 487 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-classes: 1145 sub-classes represented by five-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 9 - Manual and Codes (Korean and English) - .hwp file

The 8th revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 8) was in effect in Korea from 2000 to 2008. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 3.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 7 and KSIC Rev. 8

KSIC Rev. 8 was a major review of KSIC Rev. 7 involving updates across all sections in line with the international standard and domestic user demands. In KSIC Rev. 8, new categories were created for semi-conductor related industries (e.g. liquid crystal display devices), telecommunications industries (e.g. telecommunications equipment rental), financial services (e.g. investment consulting, securities management and custody), filmmaking and broadcasting (e.g. production of animated films), and mail-order sales (e-commerce). Reflecting their economic importance in Korea, most of the changes in KSIC Rev. 8 were centered in the manufacturing (Section C) and business services (Section M) sectors.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 8

KSIC Rev. 8 was structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Sections: 20 sections represented by the capital letters A to T.

• Divisions: 63 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 194 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 442 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-classes: 1121 sub-classes represented by five-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 8 - Manual and Codes (Korean) - .hwp file

The 7th revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 7) was in effect in Korea from 1998 to 2000. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 3.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 6 and KSIC Rev. 7

KSIC Rev. 7 involved only minor changes to KSIC Rev. 6, notable of which were the revision of classifications for clothing manufacturing and forest management activities.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 7

KSIC Rev. 7 was structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Sections: 17 sections represented by the capital letters A to Q.

• Divisions: 60 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 160 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 333 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-classes: 1193 sub-classes represented by five-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 7 - Manual and Codes (Korean) -.hwp file

The 6th revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 6) was in effect in Korea from 1992 to 1998. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 3.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 5 and KSIC Rev. 6

KSIC Rev. 6 introduced a new coding for the classification levels with a combination of alphabets (for the broad sections) and numbers for the other levels. The changes in the classification content of KSIC Rev. 6 centered on service activities such as the combination of transportation-related services that were previously classified separately and the relocation of photography from personal services to business services and building cleaning activities from social services to business services.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 6

KSIC Rev. 6 was structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Sections: 17 sections represented by the capital letters A to Q.

• Divisions: 60 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 160 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 333 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-classes: 1193 sub-classes represented by five-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 6 - Manual and Codes (Korean and English)

The 5th revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 5) was in effect in Korea from 1984 to 1992. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 2.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 4 and KSIC Rev. 5

KSIC Rev. 5 continued the process of adapting the ISIC Rev. 2 for the Korean context, increasing the national detail and clarifying definitions and explanations across categories. KSIC Rev. 5 reflected Korea's advancing economic transformation with the addition of categories for several high-tech manufacturing and service-based sectors, which were gaining prominence at the time.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 5

KSIC Rev. 5 was structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Sections: 9 sections represented by one-digit numeric codes (1-9).

• Divisions: 36 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 90 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 294 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-classes: 1048 sub-classes represented by five-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 5 - Manual and Codes (Korean and English)

The 4th revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 4) was in effect in Korea from 1976 to 1984. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 2.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 3 and KSIC Rev. 4

KSIC Rev. 4 continued the adaptation the ISIC Rev. 2 for the rapidly modernizing Korean context at the time. There was an expansion of national detail in heavy and chemical industries with activities in areas such as petrochemicals, shipbuilding, and electronics manufacturing, which were being heavily promoted as part of national development policies.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 4

KSIC Rev. 4 was structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Sections: 9 sections represented by one-digit numeric codes (1-9).

• Divisions: 36 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 86 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 256 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-classes: 855 sub-classes represented by five-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 4 - Manual and Codes (Korean and English)

The 3rd revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 3) was in effect in Korea from 1970 to 1976. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 2.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 2 and KSIC Rev. 3

KSIC Rev. 3 continued with the implementation of the ISIC Rev. 2 in Korea. KSIC Rev. 3 increased the number of classification levels from four to five. The manufacturing which was central to Korea’s export-oriented economic strategy was the center of the changes introduced in KSIC Rev. 3 with improved detail for several light and heavy manufacturing activities as well as service activities like transportation and logistics.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 3

KSIC Rev. 3 was structured into five classification levels as follows:

• Major Divisions: 9 major divisions represented by one-digit numeric codes (1-9).

• Divisions: 37 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Major Groups: 94 major groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 237 groups represented by four-digit numeric codes.

• Sub-groups: 602 sub-groups represented by five-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 3 - Manual and Codes (Korean and English)

The 2nd revision of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 2) was in effect in Korea from 1968 to 1970. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 1.

Changes between KSIC Rev. 1 and KSIC Rev. 2

KSIC Rev. 2 started the national implementation of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 2. It expanded the detail of the agricultural activities in KSIC Rev. 1 creating separate four-digit industries for several food and industrial crops. New manufacturing industries were also created covering several areas from clothing to equipment manufacturing.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 2

KSIC Rev. 2 was structured into four classification levels as follows:

• Major Divisions: 10 major divisions represented by one-digit numeric codes (0-9).

• Divisions: 48 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Major Groups: 216 major groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 492 groups represented by four-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 2 - Manual and Codes (Korean and English)

The first edition of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC Rev. 1) was in effect in Korea from 1965 to 1968. It was based on the United Nations's ISIC Rev. 1.

Structure of KSIC Rev. 1

KSIC Rev. 1 was structured into four classification levels as follows:

• Major Divisions: 10 major divisions represented by one-digit numeric codes (0-9).

• Divisions: 47 divisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Major Groups: 198 major groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 387 groups represented by four-digit numeric codes.

Resources

• KSIC Rev. 1 - Manual and Codes (Korean and English)

According to established practices, the KSIC should be revised in years ending with the number 4 (as has been done in 2024) or number 9. A new KSIC can therefore be expected in 2029.