Foreign Investors Pull Record $32 Billion from South Korean Equities

The exodus from South Korean equities reflects deepening skepticism that massive infrastructure spending on artificial intelligence will yield immediate profitability. According to the Bank of Korea, recent gains in the Kospi index prompted investors to cash out and rebalance portfolios. This withdrawal follows a period of volatility that saw the index dip into bear-market territory earlier this month.

Analysts suggest the sell-off is a correction following a parabolic rally in local memory-chip manufacturers, compounded by broader geopolitical tensions and fluctuating oil prices. The trend carries weight for the Korean won; as investors move proceeds out of local markets, the currency faces renewed downward pressure. Citi Research economist Jin-wook Kim noted that the correlation between Korean stocks and the won is beginning to mirror the dynamic between Japanese equities and the yen, where market gains frequently trigger currency-hedging activities.

Despite the equity slump, South Korean debt remains a rare bright spot for international capital. Foreign investors added a net $1.65 billion in bonds to their portfolios in June, a move bolstered by the country’s inclusion in the World Government Bond Index.