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How to Invest in Korean Stocks as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

Complete guide for international investors to buy Korean stocks. Brokers, accounts, taxes, and top picks for 2026.

πŸ€– AI Analyst5 stocks analyzed⏱ 10 min readπŸ“… 2026-02-04
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Why Invest in Korean Stocks?

Korea is the world's 10th largest economy with a stock market trading at deep value discounts. The 'Korea Discount' means you can buy world-class companies at P/E ratios 30-50% below US peers.

Methods to Invest

1. International Brokers (Easiest)

  • **Interactive Brokers** β€” Direct access to KRX
  • **Saxo Bank** β€” Korean stock trading available
  • **Tiger Brokers** β€” Asia-focused broker

    • 2. Korean ETFs (Simplest)

  • **EWY** β€” iShares MSCI South Korea ETF
  • **FLKR** β€” Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF
  • **KORU** β€” Korea 3x leveraged ETF

    • 3. ADRs (US-Listed)

  • **Samsung ADR** β€” Available on London Stock Exchange
  • **KB Financial (KB)** β€” NYSE-listed
  • **POSCO (PKX)** β€” NYSE-listed

    • 4. Direct Korean Brokerage Account

    Foreigners can open accounts at major Korean brokers (Samsung Securities, Mirae Asset) with a foreigner registration number.

    Tax Considerations

  • **Dividend Tax:** 22% withholding (may be reduced by tax treaty)
  • **Capital Gains:** Generally exempt for foreign investors on listed stocks
  • **Tax Treaties:** US, UK, Japan, and 90+ countries have agreements

    • Top Korean Stocks for Foreign Investors

    1. Samsung Electronics β€” Global tech leader at value prices

    2. SK Hynix β€” AI memory boom play

    3. Hyundai Motor β€” EV transition + dividends

    4. NAVER β€” Korea's Google with AI expansion

    5. KB Financial β€” High dividends + Value-Up

    Tips for Foreign Investors

  • Watch the USD/KRW rate β€” currency moves can significantly impact returns
  • Korean market hours: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM KST
  • Settlement: T+2
  • Most earnings reports are in Korean β€” use AI translation tools

    • ⚠️ This information does not constitute investment advice. Investment decisions should be made at your own judgment.

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