How much foreign direct investment did Korea receive in the third quarter?

Korea recorded $22.9 billion in FDI notifications during the July-September period, while actual FDI arrivals reached $14.87 billion. Arrivals increased 30.6 percent from a year earlier.

Which countries increased or decreased their foreign direct investment notifications in Korea in Q3?

U.S. FDI notifications rose 35.1 percent to $6.69 billion. Notifications from the European Union, Japan and China declined to $2.41 billion, $1.88 billion and $1.74 billion, respectively.

Which industries is Korea prioritizing to attract future foreign investment?

The government is prioritizing semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers as growth engines. The ministry said these areas will be the focus of efforts to attract additional foreign investment.

FDI notifications in Korea rise 10.8 % in Q3

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Summary

Foreign direct investment notifications in Korea rose 10.8 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, while arrivals increased 30.6 percent. Notifications totaled $22.9 billion, driven by global demand for Korean semiconductors and AI infrastructure equipment. Manufacturing facility construction and expansion accounted for $18.52 billion, or 80 percent of the total. The government plans to target semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers for further investment.

Key Facts

FDI arrivals reached $14.87 billion in the July-September period, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
U.S. FDI notifications increased 35.1 percent to $6.69 billion in the third quarter.
FDI notifications from the European Union, Japan and China fell 3.9 percent, 47.9 percent and 39.7 percent, respectively, to $2.41 billion, $1.88 billion and $1.74 billion.
The $18.52 billion directed to manufacturing facilities consisted of investments to build or expand plants, with the remainder allocated to mergers and acquisitions.
The ministry said Korea’s economic fundamentals helped attract investment despite uncertainties from prolonged tensions in the Middle East.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 7, 2026 11:16 am KST

Participants of the Korea Investment Summit 2026 pose for a commemorative photo, Sept. 23. Yonhap

Foreign direct investment (FDI) notifications in Korea rose 10.8 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, driven by strong global demand for Korean semiconductors and equipment for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, government data showed Wednesday.

FDI notifications reached $22.9 billion in the July-September period, while FDI arrivals jumped 30.6 percent to $14.87 billion, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a press release.

"Korea's strong economic fundamentals appear to have helped attract foreign direct investment despite uncertainties stemming from prolonged tensions in the Middle East," the ministry said.

FDI notifications for building or expanding manufacturing facilities accounted for 80 percent of the total, or $18.52 billion, with the remainder going toward mergers and acquisitions (M&As).

FDI notifications from the United States jumped 35.1 percent to $6.69 billion in the third quarter.

Those from the European Union, Japan and China, however, fell 3.9 percent, 47.9 percent and 39.7 percent, respectively, to $2.41 billion, $1.88 billion and $1.74 billion during the perio-

The government will seek to attract foreign investment in semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers, three areas it has identified as growth engines for Asia's fourth-largest economy, the ministry said.

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