How to buy Korean stocks as a foreigner
Reviewed October 15, 2026
There are three common ways to own Korean companies from abroad: buy the shares on the Korea Exchange through a broker that offers it, buy a Korean company's shares listed in the US or London, or buy a fund that holds a basket of Korean stocks.
General information only, not investment, legal or tax advice. Rules change: check the official sources linked here and your broker before you act.
1. Shares on the Korea Exchange
Korean shares trade on the Korea Exchange (KRX) in Korean won. Some international brokers give their customers direct access; others don't, so the first step is to check whether your broker lists the Korea Exchange and what it charges for trades and currency conversion.
Since December 2023 foreign individuals no longer need to register with Korea's financial regulator in advance (the old investor registration certificate, or IRC). Individuals can be identified with their passport and companies with their Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). Global brokers can also hold Korean shares for many clients in one combined (omnibus) account.
- Prices are in won; your broker converts your money and may charge a fee for it.
- Trades settle two business days after the trade (T+2).
- Some companies limit how much foreigners may own in total (for example telecoms and airlines). When a limit is reached, foreigners can only buy from other foreigners.
2. Korean companies listed abroad (ADRs and GDRs)
A few Korean companies also have shares listed outside Korea, priced in US dollars. Examples on US exchanges include KB Financial (KB), Shinhan Financial (SHG), Woori Financial (WF), POSCO Holdings (PKX), KEPCO (KEP), SK Telecom (SKM), KT (KT) and LG Display (LPL). Samsung Electronics has global depositary receipts listed in London.
These are convenient but cover only a small part of the market, and their prices can drift slightly from the Korean shares.
3. Korea funds and ETFs
Exchange-traded funds such as the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) or the Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) hold a basket of large Korean companies. Because Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are so large, they make up a big share of most Korea funds.
Before you buy
Check the trading hours (Korea is UTC+9), the daily price limits, how dividends and taxes work for you, and the company's filings. The guides below cover each of these.
Stocks mentioned
Questions people ask
Can a foreigner buy Korean stocks?
Yes. Foreign individuals and institutions can buy shares listed on the Korea Exchange through a broker that offers access, and since December 2023 they no longer need a separate investor registration first. A few companies have foreign ownership limits.
Do I need a Korean bank account?
Not usually. If your broker offers the Korea Exchange, it handles the won conversion and custody. Opening an account directly with a Korean securities firm is also possible but involves more paperwork.
Which Korean stocks can I buy in the US?
Several Korean companies have ADRs on US exchanges, including KB Financial (KB), Shinhan (SHG), Woori (WF), POSCO Holdings (PKX), KEPCO (KEP), SK Telecom (SKM), KT (KT) and LG Display (LPL).
What is the easiest way to invest in Korea as a whole?
A Korea ETF such as EWY or FLKR, which holds many large Korean companies in one fund.