In the first quarter of 2026, Korea’s foreign direct investment (FDI) maintained a stable trajectory despite global geopolitical risks and a slowdown in investment activity. FDI reached USD 6.41 billion on a reported basis (+0.1% YoY), the second-highest on record, while inbound FDI amounted to USD 7.14 billion, the highest ever recorded.
These results go beyond headline figures, reflecting continued strong confidence among foreign investors in the Korean market. A key highlight this quarter is the shift in both investment structure and industry trends. Investment is rapidly transitioning from greenfield entry to M&A and reinvestment (additional capital injections). While reinvestment has increased significantly, new investments have shown a declining trend. From an industry perspective, investment is increasingly moving away from traditional manufacturing toward services and digital sectors, including finance, ICT, and distribution. In addition, investment continues to be highly concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, accounting for more than 70% of total inflows.
👉 These trends indicate that foreign companies entering Korea should move beyond a simple market entry approach and instead focus on long-term investment structuring, strategic use of M&A and joint ventures, and ensuring operational stability post-entry.
🚀 Hyesung Korea Market Entry Platform
In response to this evolving investment environment, Hyesung Accounting Corporation operates the Korea Market Entry Platform to support the successful entry of global companies into Korea. The platform provides a Single Point of Contact–based One-Stop service for foreign investors, delivering integrated advisory solutions across the entire business lifecycle—from Entry to Growth and Exit—going beyond simple company incorporation.
