Business · Economy · 1 hr ago
Dormant South Korean accounts hold 14.2 trillion won
By the end of 2025, more than 341 million South Korean accounts were inactive or dormant, up 29.3% from the end of 2021.
Long-unused accounts with unclaimed funds held 14.2 trillion won in total, averaging just over 70,000 won per account.
The largest category was unused bank deposits, with 7.4 trillion won left across about 124.8 million accounts.
Unclaimed insurance money averaged about 5.53 million won per account, and customers must claim it themselves; it earns no interest.
Many people forget small balances after switching providers for better rates or fees, while long-term insurance policies can also leave money unclaimed.
People can check bank and securities accounts through the Account Info service and find guidance through the Financial Supervisory Service's Fine service.
From next year, authorities will publish yearly refund and balance figures by financial company, as firms work on ways to alert customers.
South Korean accounts with no activity for at least three years or classified as dormant held 14.2 trillion won at the end of last year.
The accounts numbered 341.91 million, up 29.3% from the end of 2021.
Long-inactive or unclaimed accounts held an average of just over 70,000 won each.
Unused bank deposits and savings accounts accounted for the largest share of the unclaimed balance.
From next year, financial authorities plan to publish annual figures on dormant assets and refunds by financial company.
- Who
- South Korean financial customers with long-inactive or dormant accounts.
- What
- The accounts held 14.2185 trillion won in unclaimed or dormant assets.
- When
- At the end of last year; the article was published on October 21, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Customers may forget small balances in old accounts after switching financial companies or opening new accounts to receive benefits.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Long-inactive, unclaimed and dormant accounts numbered 264.40 million.
The number of such accounts had risen to 341.91 million, holding 14.2185 trillion won in long-inactive or unclaimed assets.
Financial authorities plan to publish annual dormant-asset balance and refund figures for each financial company.
- Total accounts
- 341.91 million long-inactive, unclaimed or dormant accounts
- Long-inactive and unclaimed assets
- 14.2185 trillion won
- Average balance
- Just over 70,000 won per long-inactive or unclaimed account
- Bank deposits and savings
- 7.4342 trillion won
- Dormant financial assets
- 1.3008 trillion won in accounts with no transactions for at least five years
What people are saying
As convenient online account opening has become widespread, many customers frequently move their accounts to financial companies offering benefits such as preferential interest rates and forget the small amounts left in their previous accounts.
Dormant insurance benefits earn no interest, so it is advantageous to claim the money.