South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance published a readout of a June 4 investor briefing in Paris, where Second Vice Minister Heo Jang told major French asset managers and banks that strong export-led growth, corporate governance changes and market-access reforms are improving the country's investment case. He said the government will keep pushing measures to make KRW and local securities easier for overseas investors to use, including 24-hour operation of the foreign exchange market, an offshore KRW settlement system, and simpler account opening and settlement procedures. He cited exports of about USD 390 billion in January to May, up more than 40 percent from a year earlier, first quarter gross domestic product growth of 1.7 percent quarter on quarter, and gross domestic income growth of 7.5 percent. The current account surplus reached USD 85 billion in January to March, up about 220 percent year on year. The ministry also highlighted net foreign inflows of about USD 18.7 billion into government bonds after South Korea's April inclusion in the World Government Bond Index and said 80 foreign financial institutions are now registered to participate in the domestic foreign exchange market, with night-session trading increasing. On external funding, Heo said the government had completed a USD 3 billion foreign-currency exchange stabilization bond issue in February within a USD 5 billion annual program, and that the timing and currency mix for the remaining USD 2 billion have not yet been decided.
Ministry of Economy & Finance (South Korea)2026-06-05
South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance briefs Paris investors on market access reforms including 24-hour FX trading
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance briefed major French investors in Paris on strong export, growth and current account data, and on reforms to improve access to Korean won and local securities, including 24-hour foreign exchange trading, offshore KRW settlement and simpler account procedures. It noted increased foreign participation in domestic foreign exchange and government bond markets after South Korea’s inclusion in the World Government Bond Index, and said it has issued USD 3 billion of a planned USD 5 billion in foreign-currency exchange stabilization bonds, with the timing and currency mix of the remaining USD 2 billion still undecided.