Korean & Asian markets, explained for foreign investors
Seoul Market Brief covers what actually changes for investors outside Korea — market moves, tax rules, and market access.
Published Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Latest briefings
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How to Think About Korea’s T+2 Stock Settlement Cycle
Korea stock settlement runs on a T+2 cycle, with KRX as central counterparty. What clearing, pre-funding, and custody actually mean for a foreign investor.
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How to Read Korea’s Trading Halts and Circuit Breakers
Korea trading halts take four forms: the ±30% daily price limit, the Volatility Interruption, the sidecar, and the market-wide circuit breaker. What each does.
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How to Read Korea’s Trading Day, From Open to Settlement
Korea trading day: KRX runs 09:00 to 15:30 with call auctions at both ends, four automatic halts can stop an order, and settlement lands T+2 at the KSD.
Browse by topic
Getting Started
First steps for a foreign investor entering Korean markets.
Markets & Stocks
What moved KOSPI and the won, and what it means for your position.
Taxes
Residency, withholding, capital gains — the rules that decide your net return.
Real Estate
Permits, ownership rules, and what buying property in Korea actually costs.
Start here
New to Korean markets? These three answer the questions that come first.
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Are You a Korean Tax Resident? The 183-Day Rule
Korea taxes residents on worldwide income and non-residents only on Korean income. A new 2026 rule changed how the 183 days are counted. Here’s the test.
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How to Open a Korean Brokerage Account as a Non-Resident
Live outside Korea? The 2023 IRC reform did not remove the real barrier. Four routes into KOSPI for non-residents, with the trade-offs of each.
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How to Buy Korean Stocks as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)
Korea scrapped foreign-investor pre-registration in December 2023. The current step-by-step process for buying Korean stocks as a foreigner, including what you’ll owe in tax.