Top 5 Korean-Listed ETFs | Best ETFs on the Korea Exchange
A curated ranking of the best ETFs listed on the Korea Exchange (KRX). We compare and analyze top domestic ETFs including KODEX 200, TIGER US S&P500, and KODEX US Nasdaq100.
It is now possible to invest across Korean, U.S., and Chinese equities using a single domestic brokerage account. ETFs listed on the Korea Exchange (KRX) can be purchased easily in Korean won, and holding them inside a pension savings account, IRP, or ISA provides meaningful tax advantages. In this guide, we compare the five most popular Korea-listed ETFs for Korean investors in 2026.
Top 5 Korean-Listed ETFs Rankings
The largest and longest-running ETF in Korea, tracking the KOSPI 200 index. Managed by Samsung Asset Management, it provides the simplest way to invest in the Korean stock market. With AUM exceeding KRW 6 trillion, it offers excellent liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads.
A Korea-listed ETF tracking the S&P 500, managed by Mirae Asset. It allows investors to gain exposure to 500 large-cap U.S. companies in Korean won and is eligible for purchase inside pension savings and IRP accounts. At an annual expense ratio of just 0.07%, it is among the lowest-cost foreign-index ETFs available in Korea.
Samsung Asset Management's S&P 500 Total Return (TR) ETF. It automatically reinvests dividends within the fund rather than distributing them, enabling compounding growth inside the ETF itself. This structure is particularly well suited for long-term investing in pension accounts.
The leading Korea-listed ETF tracking the Nasdaq 100 index. It provides exposure to 100 of the largest U.S. technology companies — including Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia — in Korean won. It is the most actively traded Nasdaq 100 ETF listed on the KRX.
A concentrated ETF managed by Korea Investment Management that focuses on the Magnificent 7 (M7) U.S. mega-cap tech stocks: Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Tesla. It provides direct exposure to big-tech growth, though the concentrated nature of the portfolio means higher volatility.
Table of Contents
1. Advantages of Korea-Listed ETFs
Korea-listed ETFs can be bought and sold directly in Korean won, eliminating currency conversion fees and overseas account requirements. Holding them inside a pension savings account, IRP, or ISA allows investors to defer or reduce taxes. Instead of the 22% capital gains tax (on gains exceeding KRW 2.5 million) that applies to directly held foreign stocks, pension accounts offer deferred taxation or a reduced rate of 3.3–5.5% at withdrawal.
2. Expense Ratio (TER) Comparison
Expense ratios for domestic Korean ETFs are slightly higher than their U.S. counterparts, but asset managers have been aggressively cutting fees in recent years. Domestic index ETFs such as KODEX 200 typically charge 0.05–0.15% per year, while ETFs tracking foreign indices range from approximately 0.07% to 0.45% annually. In addition to the stated expense ratio, it is important to check the total expense ratio (TER), which incorporates other costs such as index licensing fees and brokerage commissions.
3. Distribution (Dividend) Payment Structure
Korea-listed ETFs distribute income quarterly or annually, with monthly distribution ETFs becoming increasingly common. A 15.4% withholding tax (including local tax) is applied to distributions at source. Holding ETFs in a pension account defers this tax until the time of withdrawal.
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