Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Foreign Ownership of South Korean Stocks Hits 5-Year High
Foreign investors are buying more South Korean stocks than they have in almost six years.
As of January 7, 2025, they own 37.18% of all South Korean stocks, which is the highest since April 2020.
This increase is because they are buying a lot of shares in companies that make semiconductors, build ships, work in nuclear power, and make defence products.
For example, they bought a lot of Samsung Electronics shares in the second half of last year.
This month, the most popular stocks were Hanwha Ocean, Doosan Enerbility, and Naver.
The stock market in South Korea is also doing well, reaching a new high.
The Korean won, which is the money used in South Korea, is also getting stronger against the US dollar.
Foreign ownership of South Korean stocks reached 37.18% of total market capitalisation on January 7, 2025, the highest since April 2020.
The increase was driven by net purchases in the semiconductor, shipbuilding, defence, and nuclear power sectors.
Foreign investors net purchased 14.1 trillion won (US$9.7 billion) worth of Samsung Electronics shares in the second half of 2024.
Popular stocks in January 2025 included Hanwha Ocean, Doosan Enerbility, and Naver.
The Korean Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed at a new high of 4,990.07 on Friday, January 31, 2025.
- Who
- Foreign investors
- What
- Increased ownership of South Korean stocks
- When
- January 2025
- Where
- South Korea
- Why
- Driven by net purchases in shipbuilding, defence, and nuclear power industries
- Foreign Ownership Percentage
- 37.18%
- Date of Highest Level
- January 7, 2025
- Previous High
- 37.34% (April 9, 2020)
- Net Purchases by Foreigners
- 14.1 trillion won (US$9.7 billion) in Samsung Electronics shares
- Popular Stocks in January
- Hanwha Ocean, Doosan Enerbility, Naver
- KOSPI Closing Value
- 4,990.07
- KOSPI Increase
- 37.54 points (0.76%)
