Foreign investors’ financial holdings in South Korea exceeded $3 trillion for the first time at the end of the second quarter of 2026, reaching $3.02 trillion after the KOSPI surged 67.8%, but July data showed net selling of ₩31.66 trillion (approximately $22.7 billion) in listed stocks for a seventh consecutive month. The June increase in foreign holdings was driven overwhelmingly by valuation gains: transactions reduced holdings by $47.5 billion, while stock-price and exchange-rate effects added $906.7 billion. In July, foreign investors net purchased ₩2.39 trillion (approximately $1.7 billion) in listed bonds for a fourth consecutive month, leaving an overall net withdrawal of ₩29.28 trillion (approximately $21.0 billion) from listed securities. South Korea’s net external financial assets fell a record $689.5 billion to $64 billion at the end of June because the value of foreign-held Korean equities rose faster than residents’ overseas assets, while residents’ overseas assets reached a record $3.08 trillion. The Bank of Korea said the June decline reflected balance-sheet revaluation rather than capital flight, increased external borrowing or weaker external payment capacity.