South Korea attracted $13 billion in foreign direct investment commitments in the first half of the year, up 9.1% year-on-year
Source: Global Market Watch
Data released by the South Korean government on Friday showed that, driven by growing confidence in South Korea’s advanced industries, the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments attracted by South Korea in the first half of 2026 increased by 9.1% year-on-year.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea obtained a total of $14.28 billion in FDI commitments from January to June this year, up from $13 billion in the same period last year.
The actual amount of foreign direct investment realized also surged by 42.6%, reaching $10.73 billion.
“It is worth noting that both foreign direct investment commitments and actual inflows have increased at a time when global investment activities are facing increasing downward pressure due to geopolitical risks in the Middle East,” stated the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
“This indicates that previously committed projects are being implemented, while new investments are flowing into South Korea based on trust in the supply chains and innovation ecosystems of its advanced industries,” the Ministry added.
By industry, the manufacturing sector attracted $3.81 billion in investment commitments in the first half, down 28.4% from the same period in 2025, mainly due to decreased investment in the chemical and electronics industries.
On the other hand, investment commitments in the machinery and medical devices sectors more than doubled, reaching $870 million.
Foreign direct investment commitments in the service sector grew by 27.9% to $9.07 billion, with the financial and real estate industries showing the strongest performance.
In terms of source, investment commitments from the United States and China declined by 2.5% and 18.6% respectively year-on-year in the first half, to $3.05 billion and $1.48 billion.
On the other hand, investment from “other countries,” including Singapore and the United Kingdom, soared by 65.4% to $6.2 billion, leading the overall increase.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy pledged to continue working closely with foreign-funded enterprises and collaborate with relevant departments to create a stable investment environment.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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