Seoul: The number of local listed firms engaged in merger and acquisition (M and A) deals saw a slight increase from a year earlier in 2025, as industry data revealed. A total of 150 listed companies in South Korea were involved in either completed or ongoing M and A deals as of the end of December.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the data from the Korea Securities Depository (KSD) indicated a 1.4 percent rise from the comparative figure in 2024. Among these firms, 47 were listed on the KOSPI, the country's main stock exchange, while the other 103 were listed on the secondary KOSDAQ market.

Mergers constituted the majority of M and A activities last year, accounting for 129 cases. Meanwhile, the total amount of appraisal rights payments, which are made to buy out stakes held by shareholders who oppose an M and A decision, dropped by 89.2 percent year-on-year to 54 billion won (US$37.9 million), as reported by the KSD.