South Korean retail investors have accumulated KRW 69.5 trillion in net ETF purchases so far in 2026, according to data from the Korea Exchange (KRX) and financial information provider Yonhap Infomax. That accounts for 63.2% of the KRW 109.9 trillion in net buying recorded in the KOSPI market over the same period. The figures show individuals kept adding exposure through ETFs even as the local stock market moved into a correction phase.
By quarter, net purchases reached KRW 33 trillion in the first quarter and KRW 28.9 trillion in the second quarter. After entering the third quarter, retail investors added more than KRW 1 trillion more this month. Fund flow data for the month from June 23 to July 23 also points to a shift in preference. Covered call ETFs and monthly dividend ETFs drew about KRW 2 trillion in net inflows from individual investors, while growth-themed products tied to semiconductors, space technology, and AI saw net outflows. Tokenpost said the move suggests investors are rotating from high-growth themes toward income-oriented ETFs that offer steadier cash flow as market volatility increases.
South Korean retail investors have posted KRW 69.5 trillion in net ETF purchases so far in 2026, according to data from the Korea Exchange (KRX) and financial information provider Yonhap Infomax. That represented 63.2% of the KRW 109.9 trillion in net buying recorded in the country’s securities market, specifically the KOSPI market, over the same period.
Retail investors kept using ETFs to build market exposure even as South Korean equities recently entered a correction phase.
Quarterly buying trend
Net purchases totaled KRW 33 trillion in the first quarter, covering January through March, and KRW 28.9 trillion in the second quarter, covering April through June. After the market moved into the third quarter, individuals bought more than KRW 1 trillion more this month.
Shift in flows over the past month
From June 23 to July 23, covered call ETFs and monthly dividend ETFs attracted combined net inflows of about KRW 2 trillion from retail investors. Over the same stretch, growth-themed ETFs linked to semiconductors, space technology, and AI recorded net outflows.
According to Tokenpost, the pattern shows investors moving away from high-growth trades and toward income-focused ETF products with steadier cash flow as market volatility intensified.
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