Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix paid a combined ₩11.21 trillion (approximately $8 billion) in corporate tax during the first half of this year, up 167% from ₩4.19 trillion a year earlier and the second-highest half-year total on record. Samsung paid ₩3.99 trillion, up 256%, while SK Hynix paid a record ₩7.22 trillion, up 135%. The total trailed only the ₩12.66 trillion paid in the first half of 2019 during the previous semiconductor boom. South Korean companies typically settle the previous year's corporate tax in March and make an interim payment in August based on provisional first-half earnings. First-half operating profit reached about ₩146.7 trillion at Samsung Electronics and ₩98.2 trillion at SK Hynix, while analysts estimate full-year operating profit of ₩385 trillion and ₩266 trillion, respectively. Some estimates put combined annual corporate tax above ₩100 trillion if operating profit reaches ₩500 trillion to ₩600 trillion and a 20% effective tax rate applies, although investment and R&D tax credits could reduce the final amount. Higher semiconductor earnings are increasing tax revenue and could strengthen state finances.