SEOUL, July 22 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s exchange-traded fund (ETF) market reached a major milestone this week, with the total number of listed ETFs surpassing 1,000 for the first time, signaling accelerating growth in the sector.
According to the Korea Exchange (KRX) on Monday, a total of 1,002 ETFs were being traded on the domestic stock market as of July 22. This marks a significant expansion since the first ETF was introduced in Korea in 2002, with the market reaching the 1,000 threshold after 23 years.
Seven new ETFs were listed on the day alone, including offerings from major issuers such as The J Active, KODEX, Kiwoom, and ACE Asset Management, covering themes like mid-cap equities, U.S. medical AI, and 10-year Treasury bonds.
The pace of ETF growth has accelerated sharply in recent years. The number of ETFs grew from 800 in November 2023 to over 900 by October, and it has added another 100 listings in just the past nine months. Compared to July 2023, when 873 ETFs were listed, the market has expanded by nearly 15%.
Assets under management (AUM) have also surged, rising 42% over the past year from 156.8 trillion won to 221.9 trillion won, underscoring growing investor interest in diversified and accessible financial products.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
