Korea's overseas direct investment up 32% in Q2

Korea's overseas direct investment surged by 32.3% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance and Economy on Tuesday. The financial and communication sectors were the primary drivers of this growth. The total overseas direct investment by Korea amounted to $20.52 billion in the April-June quarter, up from $15.5 billion in the same period last year.

Investment in the financial and insurance industry saw the most significant increase, jumping 33.4% to $10.48 billion. The finance ministry attributed this rise to Korean businesses' efforts to diversify their global investment portfolios. The manufacturing sector also contributed to the growth, with overseas direct investment increasing by 3.2% to $3.57 billion. Meanwhile, investment in the information and communication sector more than tripled, reaching $2.73 billion.

When it came to destinations, the United States was the top recipient of Korean investment, with a 53.6% increase to $8.86 billion. Japan followed closely with $2.46 billion, a sharp rise from $300 million the previous year. Luxembourg also saw a notable increase, with investment growing by 14.2% to $1.59 billion.