Korean Retail Investors Maintain Strong Appetite for Overseas-Listed ETFs in August
Press Release
LONDON — September 16, 2025 — ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm specializing in subscription-based research, consulting services, industry events, and ETF TV, reported today that Korean retail investors continued their robust participation in overseas-listed ETFs during August 2025. Of the top 50 overseas securities purchased, 23 were U.S.-listed ETFs, a slight uptick from 22 in July, though down from 26 in June and 28 in May.
In terms of volume, Korean retail investors acquired US$8.43 billion in overseas ETFs in August. The highest monthly volume in 2025 remains April, with a record US$12.08 billion in ETF purchases. (All dollar figures are in USD unless otherwise noted. Source, Korea Securities Depository.)
Key Highlights:
- Korean retail investors purchased US$8.43 billion in overseas ETFs in August.
- 23 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased were U.S.-listed ETFs.
- 14 of the top 23 ETFs offered leveraged or inverse exposure.
- The largest single purchase was US$2.01 billion of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust.
Total Amount of overseas ETFs purchased by Korean retail investors by month in 2025
|
Dec-24 |
Jan-25 |
Feb-25 |
Mar-25 |
Apr-25 |
May-25 |
Jun-25 |
Jul-25 |
Aug-25 |
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|
# ETFs purchased |
26 |
22 |
25 |
30 |
32 |
28 |
26 |
22 |
23 |
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Total amount of ETF purchases (US$ Mn) |
11,773 |
9,992 |
9,366 |
9,942 |
12,076 |
9,904 |
9,664 |
7,489 |
8,433 |
Source, Korea Securities Depository.
Top 10 overseas ETFs purchased in August
|
ETF Name |
Purchase Amount in USD |
|
SPDR SP 500 ETF TRUST |
2,009,561,177 |
|
DIREXION DAILY SEMICONDUCTORS BULL 3X SHS ETF |
1,364,535,336 |
|
DIREXION DAILY TSLA BULL 2X SHARES |
620,660,710 |
|
INVESCO QQQ TRUST SRS 1 ETF |
537,579,988 |
|
VOLATILITY SHARES TRUST 2X ETHER ETF NEW SPLR 974476707 US92864M4006 |
431,279,579 |
|
DIREXION SEMICONDUCTOR BEAR 3X ETF |
374,404,724 |
|
VS TRUST 2X LONG VIX FUTURES ETF NEW SPLR 969626124 US92891H5072 |
329,311,054 |
|
ISHARES 20+ YEAR TREASURY BOND ETF |
316,115,304 |
|
VANGUARD SP 500 ETF SPLR 39326002188 US9229084135 |
265,556,238 |
|
ISHARES 0-3 MONTH TREASURY BOND ETF |
262,724,580 |
Source, Korea Securities Depository.
The ETF industry in Korea has 1,403 ETFs, with assets of $178.34 Bn, from 39 providers listed on the Korea Exchange at the end of August 2025. 22.67% of the ETFs provide leverage or inverse exposure which account for 6.96% of the assets in the ETF industry in Korea.
Asset Growth in Korea ETF industry as of the end of August
Contact deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com if you have any questions or comments on the press release or ETFGI events, research or consulting services.
There are 2 ETF events in Korea during September.
Women in ETFs APAC Korea Chapter Fireside Chat with Mr. Bae Jae-kyu hosted by Korea Investment Management
The Women in ETFs Korea Chapter invites women and men to register for an exclusive Fireside Chat with Mr Bae Jae-kyu, CEO and President of Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd., and Chairman of the Board. The event is hosted by Korea Investment Management.
REGISTER here: https://womeninetfs.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1994259
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9/29/2025 |
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When: |
Monday, September 29, 2025 |
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Where: |
KOREA INVESTMENT TRUST MANAGEMENT CO., LTD. |
AGENDA
17:45 – 18:15 | Registration
18:15 – 18:25 | Welcome Korea Investment Management
Deborah Fuhr, Founder and Board Member of Women in ETFs, Co-President of Women in ETFs EMEA, and Founder & Managing Partner of ETFGI
18:25 – 19:00 | Fireside Chat Mr. Bae Jae-kyu, CEO and President of Korea Investment Management
Speaker: Mr. Bae Jae-kyu, CEO and President of Korea Investment Management
Moderator: Deborah Fuhr, Founder and Board Member of Women in ETFs, Co-President of Women in ETFs EMEA, and Founder & Managing Partner of ETFGI
Topic: Mr. Bae’s career journey, the evolution of Korea’s ETF market and outlook
19:00 – 19:10 | Audience Q&A
19:10 – 19:15 | Closing Remarks
19:15 – 20:00 | Networking
About Mr. Bae Jae-kyu, widely recognized as a pioneer of Korea’s ETF market, Mr. Bae played a key role in launching Asia’s first leveraged and inverse ETFs during his tenure at Samsung Asset Management. Since joining Korea Investment Management in 2022, he has been re-elected for a third consecutive term as CEO. Under his leadership, the firm has experienced significant growth in Korea’s ETF market.
About Women in ETFs
Women in ETFs is a global non-profit organization that brings together women and men in the ETF industry to Connect, Support, and Inspire. With over 13,000 members across 32 chapters worldwide, Women in ETFs promotes diversity, inclusion, and professional development in financial services. www.WomeninETFs.com
Not yet a member? Join for free here https://womeninetfs.com/page/REGISTRATION
Korea Capital Market Conference 2025
📅 Date: September 29–30, 2025
📍 Venue: The Westin Josun Seoul
🎯 Host: Korea Exchange (KRX)
🌐 Website: kcmckrx.com
Program: https://www.kcmckrx.com/program.php?lang=en
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