The Bank of Korea has published preliminary international investment position data for the first quarter of 2026 showing Korea’s net international investment position fell by USD 132.1 billion over the quarter to USD 753.6 billion. Korea’s external assets still increased, rising USD 15.0 billion to USD 2,882.6 billion, but foreign investment in Korea rose much faster, up USD 147.1 billion to USD 2,129.0 billion. On the asset side, the quarterly increase was led by direct investment, which rose USD 15.4 billion to USD 851.7 billion, and financial derivatives, up USD 15.7 billion to USD 51.7 billion, while portfolio investment fell USD 15.1 billion and reserve assets declined USD 4.4 billion. On the liability side, the increase was driven mainly by portfolio investment, which rose USD 108.3 billion to USD 1,472.9 billion, including a USD 122.1 billion rise in equity securities, alongside increases in financial derivatives and other investment. Separately, net external assets in debt instruments declined by USD 7.6 billion to USD 365.5 billion, as debt instrument assets fell to USD 1,139.9 billion and external debt rose to USD 774.4 billion. The short-term external debt ratio to reserve assets stood at 43.3%.

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