30%. This is the market share of the productivity suite developed by Hangul and Computer, also known as Hancom, Korea’s homegrown software company. Even companies like Microsoft and Google, whose office suite programs account for 99% of the global market share must contend with a powerful local competitor in Korea.

Founded in 1990 by Korea’s top software engineers, Hancom developed a word document software that best supports 'Hangul,’ the Korean written language. The software has since grown into Hancom Office. Korea is the only country in the world where MS Office has not fully dominated the market, and Hancom is at the root of this phenomenon.

After releasing Hancom Office 2010, which is complete with Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation applications, Hancom has consistently released upgraded products.

Hancom Office 2018 implemented Artificial Intelligence to allow voice recognition and conversational search functions. The latest version, Hancom Office 2022 includes further improved technologies such as AI, Cloud, Blackchain.

Hancom Office is also very compatible with mobile devices, as proven by its inclusion in Samsung’s Galaxy S1 back in 2010. Since then, Hancom has been implemented in all of Samsung’s main smartphones and tablet lines-accumulating a 600 million user base. Beyond Samsung, other global companies such as Google, LG, and Asus include Hancom Office in their mobile devices and distribute them globally.

Hancom is respected globally for its technological expertise. Hancom collaborated with the world’s largest cloud service provider, AWS, to offer real-time collaborative editing capabilities to Amazon WorkDocs users.

Hancom is not satisfied with its Office Suite software only. Hancom has accelerated its growth with aggressive M&A strategies and used strategic partnerships to improve its technology and grow into an ICT Convergence business.

Recently, Hancom has focused on M&As with promising startups in diverse fields to expand its scope of growth, like space and drone technology, a metaverse platform, and a total healthcare service.

The company’s revenue is also in steep incline: having first reached 100bn KRW in sales in 2016, Hancom group reached 400bn KRW in 2020, creating a growth pattern of an annual 100bn won increase in revenue.

With the accumulated technology, Hancom Group is headed for space. Hancom inSpace, a subsidiary company of Hancom group, is going to be the first Korean non-government affiliated company to launch a satellite for observing the Earth into space. The micro low-orbital satellite, called Sejong 1, will be 120*10*30 cm in size, and 10.8 kg in weight.

Hancom inSpace will launch 5 satellites by 2023 to orbit around the Earth and create a satellite constellation that will explore the Korean peninsula every day.

Hancom will analyze the visual data from the satellites to create a business model that services the government, the military, universities, and municipalities. It will analyze the agricultural environment, monitor forest resources, anticipate natural disasters, and detect changes in urban areas.

The satellite technology will be provided in conjunction with the drone and AI technology that Hancom has already developed, to provide an all-in-one visual data service that connects space, aerospace, and the earth.

Space is not an abstract dream for Hancom as it is already a leading force in software, AI, big data, and optics technology. The company’s autonomous R&D and bold M&A strategy also bolster Hancom’s plan to launch into space. With these technologies under its belt, Hancom inSpace will aim to be listed on overseas stock exchanges within the next 3 years.

Moreover, Hancom Group’s various subsidiary companies are also diving into the smart mobility sphere such as disaster relief platforms, self-driving cars, charging platforms for electrical vehicles, and drone routes.

Hancom Group is making strides in creating a safer and more comfortable environment for the next chapter of humanity.