Foreign direct investment (FDI) by international companies in South Korea surged 82.9% from a year earlier to a record $7.14 billion in Q1 2026, up from $3.9 billion recorded during the January–March period of last year, data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Resources showed on Friday. New FDI commitments edged up 0.1% year-on-year to $6.41 billion, marking the second-highest figure for a first quarter, as Yonhap News Agency reported. By industry, FDI pledges in the service sector rose 21.5% year-on-year to $4.33 billion through March, driven by robust demand in finance, retail, and communications, while those in the manufacturing sector plunged 47.6% to $1.24 billion. By country, fresh investment pledges from the U.S. increased 20.9% to $1 billion. In contrast, FDI pledges from the EU fell 4.1% to $1.43 billion, while those from Japan and China slumped 71.1% and 19.4%, respectively. South Korea received a record-high combined $36 billion in FDI pledges in 2025. source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Foreign Direct Investment in South Korea increased by 15385801 USD Thousand in the fourth quarter of 2025. Foreign Direct Investment in South Korea averaged 2104024.74 USD Thousand from 1962 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 15385801.00 USD Thousand in the fourth quarter of 2025 and a record low of 0.00 USD Thousand in the fourth quarter of 1962. This page provides - South Korea Foreign Direct Investment - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. South Korea Foreign Direct Investment - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on April of 2026.