A light emitting layer forming portion (9) comprising InGaAlP based compound semiconductor and forming a light emitting layer is deposited on an n-type GaAs substrate (1), a p-type current dispersion layer (5) comprising AlGaAs based compound semiconductor is provided on a surface of the light emitting layer forming portion (9), a p-side electrode (7) is provided on a portion of a surface of the current dispersion layer (5) through a contact layer (6) comprising p-type GaAs, and an n-side electrode (8) is provided on a back. surface of the GaAs substrate (1). Vickers' hardness of the current dispersion layer (5) comprising AlGaAs is 700 or higher. As a result, at the time of handling for mounting, or wire bonding, a fracture or a crack is not generated in the LED chip, and it is possible to enhance the yield of assembling steps.