Global Companies in Korea — 2026-10-10
Cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) arrivals hit a record-breaking $14.87 billion through the third quarter of 2026. Korea Investment Holdings is nearing the final stages of acquiring an overseas asset manager to boost its influence in Asian financial markets, while Mexican restaurant brand Cuchara opened a new location at Hyundai Department Store's Mokdong branch, continuing the wave of foreign and casual dining expansions in Korea.
Global Companies in Korea — 2026-10-10
Top developments
Foreign Direct Investment Hits Record High in Q3
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, foreign direct investment arrivals reached $14.87 billion between January and September 2026, marking an all-time high for the period. Investment notifications also increased by 10.8% year-over-year, buoyed in particular by investments in semiconductor materials, components, and equipment. This highlights Korea's enduring appeal as a tech hub amid global supply chain restructuring.
Korea Investment Holdings Nears Overseas Asset Manager Acquisition
Kim Nam-gu, chairman of Korea Investment Holdings, announced that negotiations to acquire an overseas asset manager are nearly complete. Once finalized, the deal is expected to elevate Korea Investment Holdings into the top tier of asset managers in Asia. This marks a significant milestone in the global network expansion of domestic financial groups.
Cuchara Opens New Location at Hyundai Department Store Mokdong
Mexican casual dining brand 'Cuchara' opened a new store on October 8 in the food hall on the second basement level of Hyundai Department Store's Mokdong main branch. Featuring a renewed brand identity and the 'EVERYDAY CUCHARA' slogan, it serves everyday Mexican dishes like burritos and tacos, reflecting the growing diversification of dining brands in Korea.
Deals, expansion & investment
- Korea Investment Holdings: Acquisition talks for an overseas asset manager have entered the final stage.
- KCC Engineering & Construction: Major corporate disclosures continued, including securing the Yongsan project worth 278.1 billion won.
- JYP Entertainment: Currently acquiring land to build a new office building in Seoul.
Regulation & market context
- KOSA and Korea Venture Investment Partnership: The Korea Software Industry Association (KOSA) signed a business agreement with Korea Venture Investment to step up support for domestic AI and software companies in attracting investment and expanding overseas. The partnership aims to energize the startup ecosystem by strengthening ties with the Fund of Funds.
- Trump Administration Pressure on U.S. Investments: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that Korea scale up its shipbuilding investments in the U.S. to around $150 billion, linking the issue to tariff reductions. Warnings were also raised that failure to reach an agreement could double the requested amount.
On the radar
- Musinsa Shanghai Pop-up: Musinsa is hosting the 'Musinsa Shanghai Pop-up Store 2026' in Shanghai, China, lowering the barriers for K-brands entering the Chinese market. (Currently ongoing)
- Fashion Giants Compete to Import Global Brands: Major domestic fashion enterprises are increasingly focusing on importing and introducing overseas brands rather than investing in their own proprietary labels.
By the numbers
- $14.87 billion: Cumulative FDI arrivals from January to September 2026 (all-time high)
- 10.8%: Year-over-year increase in FDI notifications from January to September 2026
- 278.1 billion won: Value of the Yongsan project secured by KCC Engineering & Construction
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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