France Paris to Host Korean Economic Investment Presentation for European Key Investors

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South Korea’s Deputy Finance Minister Highlights Record Growth and Investment Opportunities in Paris

Paris, France — South Korea’s Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Policy, Heo Jang, addressed French financial institutions in Paris on June 4 (local time), presenting the country’s economic resilience and capital market reforms to attract foreign investment. The event, held at the OECD Korea Office, marked a key diplomatic push to position South Korea as a leading investment destination amid robust growth metrics.

OECD’s Highest Q1 GDP Growth

Heo emphasized that South Korea’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.7% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, the highest growth rate among OECD member nations for the period. The gross domestic income (GDI) also surged by 7.5%, underscoring strong domestic economic activity.

The deputy minister further highlighted South Korea’s export performance, noting that exports from January to May 2026 reached approximately $390 billion, a 40% increase over the same period last year. The current account surplus for the first quarter expanded to $85 billion, up 220% year-over-year, reflecting a robust trade balance.

Strategic Sectors and Capital Market Reforms

Heo outlined South Korea’s focus on strategic industries, including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing, as key drivers of future growth. He also detailed reforms to enhance the corporate governance structure, strengthen shareholder protections, and introduce separate taxation for dividend income to further develop the capital market.

The deputy minister noted that since South Korea’s sovereign bonds were included in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI), foreign investors have shown significant interest, with net inflows of approximately $18.7 billion as of June 4.

French Financial Institutions Show Interest

The event drew participation from major French financial institutions, including Amundi, BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Natixis, and Société Générale, as well as asset managers. Discussions covered geopolitical risks in the Middle East, high oil prices, South Korea’s stock market performance, and plans for foreign exchange market reforms, including the potential issuance of foreign currency-denominated bonds.

OECD as a Key Platform

The OECD, headquartered in Paris, serves as a platform for international economic cooperation. South Korea’s presentation aimed to leverage the organization’s credibility to reinforce its economic strengths and attract long-term foreign investment.

Note: This article is based solely on verified primary sources from South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and official statements. Background orientation materials were used only for contextual framing and were not cited as factual sources.