Investing Portfolio Management International Investing A Guide to Investing in South Korea Easily Invest in One of Asia's Most Promising Economies By Justin Kuepper Justin Kuepper Justin Kuepper is a financial analyst, journalist, and private investor with over 15 years of experience in the domestic and international markets. learn about our editorial policies Updated on March 31, 2022 Reviewed by Anthony Battle Fact checked by Leila Najafi Photo: Sungjin Kim/Moment/Getty Images The economy of South Korea is booming. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the country grew from $943.94 billion in 2009 to over $1.63 trillion in 2020. GDP is a measure of national income and output. The gross domestic product for South Korea is the 4th largest in Asia, and it made up nearly 2% of the world's $84.7 trillion GDP in 2020. This growth means that South Korea is going to appeal to many investors. Key Takeaways South Korea offers a chance to invest in a stable economy with a high income and a track record of growth.Risks of investing in South Korea include a heavy reliance on imports and a tense relationship with its neighbor, North Korea.The easiest way to invest in South Korea is by using either ETFs or ADRs, which offer diversified exposure and can be bought on a U.S. stock exchange. South Korea's Booming Economy South Korea's economy ranks 10th in the world by nominal gross domestic product (GDP). It ranks 31st by purchasing power parity (PPP). But the stable economy is perhaps more important for investors. South Korea is viewed as both a stable, developed country with a high income and a member of the Next Eleven countries. This signals that the country has a good chance of strong growth over the coming years. South Korea has almost no natural resources and is known for overpopulation. In spite of this, the country boasts one of the world's fastest-growing economies. It is now the seventh-largest exporter and ninth-largest importer in the world. The majority of these exports are to the auto industry. There is also a strong export sector in consumer electronics. South Korean Pros and Cons South Korea combines stability and rapid growth rates, which is rare. This appeals to international investors. But there are also many risks that investors should think about before putting their money in the region. These include geopolitical risks with its neighbor, North Korea. Investors should also be aware of the risk that the country's exports could suffer during a downturn. Benefits of investing in South Korea: Rapid growth: The economy is expected to grow at a rate of 4% in 2021 and 3% in 2022. Stable economy: South Korea is a member of the G20 as an OECD nation. It has a per capita income of $31,489. This means that it's very stable. Risks of investing in South Korea: Geopolitical risk: South Korea is in one of the most militarized parts in the world, with a very unstable neighbor in North Korea.Relies on exports: Its economy strongly relies on exports. This can be a problem when the global economy is contracting or slowing down. Investing in South Korean ETFs The easiest way to invest in South Korea is with exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs provide instant diversification in a single security. These funds are traded on the U.S. stock exchange. The iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund (EWY) is the most popular South Korean ETF. It has a $30.6 billion net asset value and 1,242 holdings, as of September 14, 2021. Investors can also look at other ETFs such as: First Trust South Korea AlphaDEX Fund (FKO)Asia Pacific Ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA)FTSE RAFI Asia Pacific ex-Japan Portfolio (PAF) Investing in South Korean ADRs American Depository Receipts (ADRs) represent another way to invest in South Korean companies. You can hold these without going outside of the United States. These ADRs let investors buy foreign companies on the U.S. stock exchange. They are not, though, as liquid as many other U.S. stocks. Because of this, they should be traded with some caution. Popular South Korean ADRs include: KB Financial Group Inc. (KB)SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (SKM)LG Display Co., Ltd. (LPL) Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. The World Bank. "GDP (Current US$) - Korea, Rep." The World Bank. "GDP (Current US$)." The World Bank. "GDP Per Capita, PPP (Current International $) - Korea, Rep." Michigan State University. "South Korea: Trade Statistics." Bank of Korea. "Economic Outlook (May 2021)." The World Bank. "GDP Per Capita (Current US$) - Korea, Rep." Nasdaq. "What is an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)?" iShares. "iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF." Fidelity. "Understanding American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)."