Google Inc. and Apple Inc. are the two most sought-after foreign companies among South Korean job applicants, a market survey showed Monday, pointing to their popularity here.

According to the latest survey of 1,428 job seekers by SaraminHR Co., 16.7 percent of the respondents selected Google Korea as the most desired company to work at among foreign firms, citing the company’s corporate culture and work environment. It marked the third year in a row that Google Korea claimed the top spot, according to the operator of the job search Web portal.

Apple Korea retained its runner-up position for the second year, winning votes from 10 percent of those surveyed. The respondents said that Apple’s reputation and corporate image are the reasons they want to work for the maker of the iPhone and the iPad.

Apple made the list of the top 10 most popular foreign companies for the first time in 2010, following the iPhone’s local debut. The two U.S. tech giants were the only technology firms to make the annual list this year, reflecting their ascent in Korea with its strong acceptance of smartphones.

Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co., which previously appeared on the list in 2009, failed to lure votes from local job seekers this year.

Hygiene products maker Yuhan-Kimberly was the third-most popular with 6.4 percent, followed by 3M Korea Ltd. and Nike Sports Korea Co. Others on the list included Homeplus Co., Renault Samsung Motors Co. and Starbucks Coffee Korea Co. 

(Yonhap News)