Seoul: South Korean institutions' investment in foreign securities reached an all-time high in 2025, driven by increased net investment and rising asset value amid strong global stock markets, central bank data showed Wednesday. The outstanding value of foreign securities held by local institutional investors stood at US$507.83 billion as of end-December, up 20.7 percent, or $87.24 billion, from a year earlier, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).

According to Yonhap News Agency, both the outstanding balance and the annual growth rate marked record highs. Foreign securities include stocks, bonds, and "Korean paper," which refers to foreign currency-denominated securities issued by the South Korean government, banks, or companies in overseas markets. By asset type, local institutions' foreign stock holdings rose $66.04 billion from a year earlier, while the value of their foreign bond holdings increased $2.22 billion.

"Valuation gains expanded amid rising share prices in the United States and other major markets, while net investment, particularly by asset management firms, also grew significantly," a BOK official said. Overseas bond investment balances also increased following U.S. rate cuts and a decline in U.S. Treasury yields, he added.