Investment Policy Measures

23 results
Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

05 Mar 2024

Allocated $151 million for cash support to attract FDI

On 5 March 2024, the Government of the Republic of Korea allocated a budget of approximately $151 million for cash support to expand the attraction of investments in key companies within advanced industries. This amount is four times [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

18 Jul 2022

Offers up to 50% cash reimbursement to FDI in strategic industries

On 18 July 2022, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy amended the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) - approved cash grant program, so as to offer up to 50% cash reimbursement for foreign investment in activities deemed strategically [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

07 Mar 2022

Adopted a series of sanctions against the Russian Federation

On 7 March 2022, the Government of the Republic of Korea adopted a series of sanctions against the Russian Federation, including export controls and the removal of several Russian banks from the SWIFT global payment system. In a related [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

05 Aug 2020

Recognizing reinvestment of earned surplus as foreign direct investment

On 5 August 2020, the revised Foreign Investment Promotion Act came into force. Key points include, among others, that foreign reinvested earned surplus is recognized as foreign direct investment and that about 2,990 technologies [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

05 Aug 2020

Amending the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act

On 5 August 2020, amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act entered into force. One of the changes has made it possible for the competent Minister or the heads of the relevant agencies to request [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

21 Feb 2020

Revising Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology

On 21 February 2020, the revised Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology came into force. This revision tightens the procedure for foreign M&A on national core technology. The key points include [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

01 Jan 2019

Abolishing certain tax incentives for foreign investment

Certain tax incentives, which were available for foreign investments have been abolished, effective from 1 January 2019. Previously, foreign investments enjoyed up to seven years tax reduction on their income tax or corporate tax on [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

31 Jan 2017

Revised tax enforcement decrees focusing on fostering new growth industries

The State Council revised 19 tax enforcement decrees. Among others, the following are introduced to foster new growth industries: (1) The Government increased the research and development (R&D) tax credit rate on new growth industries [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

13 Nov 2016

Korean Government sells its 29.7% stake in Woori Bank

On 13 November 2016, the Financial Services Commission has chosen seven successful bidders, including Chinese-owned Tong Yang Life Insurance Co., to buy a combined 29.7 per cent stake (about KRW 2.4 trillion) in the state-owned Woori [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

13 Aug 2016

Korea enacted the "Special Act on Revitalizing Companies"

On 13 August 2016, the newly established “Special Act on Revitalizing Companies” (so called “One-shot Act”) took effect, aimed at facilitating voluntary corporate restructuring and M&As. The new law facilitates business reform [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

22 Mar 2016

Korea opened the "Startup Campus" as its largest startup incubation center in the country

On 22 March 2016, the Korean government opened its largest startup complex in Pangyo, a city located just south of Seoul, to boost promising local startups and attract foreign companies. This complex will provide support to people [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

27 Jan 2016

Korea amends the Foreign Investment Promotion Act to simplify FDI registration procedures

On 27 January 2016, Korea amended the "Foreign Investment Promotion Act". The changes simplify FDI registration procedures, including through (1) abolishing foreign investors' prior reporting to the government of any designated modification [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

24 Jul 2015

Korea eases investment regulations on Saemangeum

On 24 July 2015, the national assembly passed a law which reduced regulations to encourage foreign investment into a development project on Saemangeum, an area of reclaimed tidal land located on the southwest coast of Korea. For example, [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

01 Jul 2015

Government allows foreign companies to hire more non-Korean employees

For small-sized foreign companies, the Korean government has allowed to hire non-Korean employees exceeding 20% of the company's workforce during their first two years of operations in the country. Hitherto, the cap stood at 20%. [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

25 Aug 2014

Korea Eases Requirements for FIZ Rental Rates

The government of Korea halved the minimum 'Foreign investment amount' and 'Factory construction area ratio' applied to foreign investors in 'Complex-type foreign investment areas'. Prior to the revision, companies could benefit from [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

10 Jan 2014

Amendment to Foreign Investment Promotion Act

The government of Korea amended the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. Under the current Act on Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade, a subsidiary of a holding company could not - up to now - make a joint investment with a foreigner. [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

02 Jul 2013

Passes amended Telecommunications Business Act

On 13 August 2013, an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act came into effect. The change allows foreign investors from countries with which Korea has an FTA – in particular EU member states and the United States – to indirectly [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

27 Jun 2013

Passes the Act on Supporting the Return of Overseas Korean Enterprises

The Act on Supporting the Return of Overseas Korean Enterprises was passed by the National Assembly. The Korean Government founded the Reshoring Support Center and is planning to provide reshoring businesses with incentives that are [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

17 Apr 2013

Introduces small-scale foreign investment zones

The Republic of Korea has introduced small-scale free economic zones (FEZs) that will provide significant incentives to foreign investors. These "mini" FEZs can be established in any area developed by foreign investors or foreign-invested [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

26 Jan 2012

Korea amended the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology

On 26 January 2012, an amendment to the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology came into effect. The amendment, introduced by law passed on 25 July 2011, introduces the obligation for certain Korean [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

05 Oct 2010

Expands FDI zones to the services sector

The Korean Government expanded the foreign direct investment zones to the services sector, such as knowledge services, tourism, logistics, finance and education. It also offers more incentives to such businesses. The designation of [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

01 Sep 2010

More incentives to foreign investors in special economic zones

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy announced that at least 10 percent of the land in each free economic zone will be allocated to foreign companies, with rental fees to be reduced by 75 percent to even 100 percent, depending on the [...]

Korea, Republic of

Korea, Republic of

03 Aug 2010

Introduces red carpet service for foreign investors

Foreign investors who plan to make large investments in South Korea will be fully serviced by the Korean Government from the moment they arrive in the country until they leave. Government services provided for them include immigration, [...]

Number of policy measures per economy (since 01 Jan 2010) 1 93