Korean dividends: record dates, ex-dividend dates and the new rules
Reviewed October 15, 2026
For years most Korean companies used 31 December as the dividend record date and only decided the amount at the shareholders' meeting in March, so investors had to buy before knowing the dividend. That is changing.
General information only, not investment, legal or tax advice. Rules change: check the official sources linked here and your broker before you act.
Record date and ex-dividend date
The record date (배당기준일) decides who gets the dividend. Because trades settle two business days later, you must buy at least two business days before the record date. The day after that is the ex-dividend date (배당락일), when the share price usually drops by about the dividend.
The reform: know the dividend first
Since 2023 the authorities have encouraged companies to change their articles so the board decides the dividend first and sets the record date afterwards. Many large companies have made the change, so their record dates now fall in February, March or April instead of 31 December. Always check the company's own announcement for the year in question.
Quarterly and interim dividends
Some companies, such as Samsung Electronics and several financial groups, pay quarterly. Interim (half-year) dividends are also common. Recent changes let companies use the same 'amount first, record date later' approach for these.
Preferred shares
Many Korean companies also list preferred shares (우선주, often with a code ending in 5) that usually pay a slightly higher dividend and have no voting rights.
Where to find dividend announcements
Dividend decisions are filed on DART as '현금ㆍ현물배당결정' (cash and in-kind dividend decision). On JONBUR they appear on each company's Filings tab with an English title.
Stocks mentioned
Questions people ask
When do I need to buy a Korean stock to get the dividend?
At least two business days before the record date, because trades settle T+2. The record date is in the company's dividend announcement.
Do Korean companies still use 31 December as the record date?
Some do, but many have moved to a record date after the dividend is announced, often in February to April.
Do Korean preferred shares pay more?
Usually slightly more than the common shares, in exchange for no voting rights.