South Korea’s external financial assets reached a record high of about $2.87 trillion in 2025, rising $362.6 billion from a year earlier, preliminary data from the Bank of Korea showed Wednesday. Residents’ overseas securities investment increased by $271.9 billion to $1.26 trillion, while direct investment rose $66.2 billion to $828.9 billion, supported by foreign equity purchases and valuation gains from higher global stock prices.

External financial liabilities climbed by a larger $560.4 billion to $1.97 trillion, reflecting a $520 billion surge in non-residents’ securities investment amid sharp gains in domestic equities. As a result, the country’s net international investment position