Preliminary data from the Bank of Korea released on Wednesday indicates that the nation's external financial assets are set to hit an all-time high in 2025, driven by increased overseas securities investments and valuation gains.

According to the central bank's initial figures, external financial assets reached $2.88 trillion by the end of December, marking an increase of $362.6 billion from 2024. Both the total amount and the pace of growth reached historic highs.

Within these assets, residents' securities investments rose by $271.9 billion year-on-year to a record $1.26 trillion. Direct investment also climbed to an unprecedented $828.9 billion, up $66.2 billion from the previous year.

A Bank of Korea official noted at a press briefing, "Increased investment by residents in foreign equities and bonds, along with valuation gains from rising global stock prices, contributed to the growth."

However, the official added, "External financial liabilities grew even more sharply, as non-resident investment in domestic securities surged amid a significant rise in local stock prices."

In 2025, South Korea's external financial liabilities increased by $560.4 billion to $1.97 trillion. Non-resident securities investment jumped by $520 billion to $1.35 trillion, while direct investment rose by $28.3 billion to $315.3 billion.

The Bank of Korea stated that due to the faster growth in external financial liabilities compared to assets, the nation's net international investment position declined by $197.8 billion year-on-year to $904.2 billion, marking the first decrease since 2020.