Is Kia a South Korean company?
Kia Corporation is a South Korean company in Seoul, listed on the Korea Exchange. It is an affiliate of the Hyundai Motor Group rather than a subsidiary: Hyundai Motor Company is its largest shareholder with 35.17%, which is not a controlling stake. Kia in turn holds 18.10% of Hyundai Mobis, part of the group's circular shareholding.
South Korea connection
Direct
- Origin
- South Korea
- Headquarters
- Seoul, South Korea
- Sourced connections
- 3
Key facts
- Company
- Kia Corporation
- Founded
- 1944
- Origin
- South Korea
- Headquarters
- Seoul, South Korea
- Ownership
- Public company
- Parent company
- Independent
- Listed on
- KRX: 000270
- Manufacturing
- Unknown
- Operations in South Korea
- Yes
Why Whownit classifies Kia this way
Origin
Headquarters
Hyundai Motor Company holds 35.17%
The largest shareholder at the end of 2025, a minority stake rather than control.
Ownership snapshot
Kia
Kia Corporation
- owned by
Public shareholders
Independent company
Kia Corporation is a publicly traded company with no parent company.
Country connections
Each relationship is recorded separately, with its own sources.
South KoreaOrigin · Headquarters · Major shareholder3 connections
Origin
DirectHeadquarters
DirectMajor shareholder
DirectThe largest shareholder at the end of 2025, a minority stake rather than control.
Looking for alternatives?
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Sources
Primary sources are listed first. Facts on this page were last checked in Oct 2026.
worldwide.kia.com
Kia, shareholders (opens in a new tab)CompanyAccessed Oct 1, 2026worldwide.kia.com
Kia, corporate information (opens in a new tab)CompanyAccessed Oct 1, 2026- CompanyAccessed Oct 1, 2026
worldwide.kia.com
Kia heritage, chapter 4 (opens in a new tab)CompanyAccessed Oct 1, 2026
Quick answers
Who owns Kia?
Kia Corporation is a publicly traded company with no parent company.
Which country owns Kia?
No company owns Kia: it is publicly traded on KRX and has no parent company, so its shares are held by public shareholders.
Where is Kia from?
Established on 11 December 1944 in Korea.
Where is Kia headquartered?
Kia is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
Is Kia a South Korean company?
Whownit records 3 sourced connections between Kia and South Korea (Origin, Headquarters, Major shareholder). At least one is direct — through the company itself.