Korea Investment Corp

What Korea Investment Corp does

Korea Investment Corporation (KIC), legally 한국투자공사, is the sovereign wealth fund of the Republic of Korea, established on July 1, 2005 under the Korea Investment Corporation Act and supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Bank of Korea. KIC manages and grows Korea's sovereign wealth and foreign exchange reserves entrusted by the Korean government and public institutions, operating a globally diversified investment portfolio across 70 countries and 39 currencies. As of end-2025, KIC managed $232 billion in assets under management and delivered a 13.91% annual return for 2025, with $122.4 billion in cumulative operating returns since inception.

KIC's core operations are divided between Traditional Asset Investment (78% of portfolio: global equities, bonds, and asset allocation) and Alternative Asset Investment (22% of portfolio: private equity, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, and private credit). The fund also operates a securities lending program. In 2024, KIC launched a $230 million Bio R&D Investment Platform with Singapore-based CBC Group as co-manager — its first direct investment in domestic Korean corporations — and committed $100-200 million to Korean private equity firms, marking its first-ever domestic PE allocation after two decades of avoiding the segment.

KIC operates a global investment platform from Seoul headquarters supported by six overseas offices in New York, London, Singapore, San Francisco, Mumbai, and Tokyo, enabling 24-hour global trading and direct access to regional deal flow across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM. The fund employs 353 staff, of whom 174 are investment professionals, and is governed by a Steering Committee of six private-sector experts plus three ex-officio members (Minister of Economy and Finance, Governor of Bank of Korea, and KIC CEO). KIC leads the Public Community for Overseas Investment (PCOI) with 26 member institutions and operates the International Financial Cooperation Council (IFCC) to share overseas investment expertise with Korean public and private investors.

Name

Korea Investment Corp

Legal name

Korea Investment Corporation (한국투자공사)

Website

https://kic.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Korea Investment Corporation is South Korea's sovereign wealth fund, managing $232 billion in entrusted national assets across global equities, bonds, and alternatives in 70 countries. It serves the Korean government and Bank of Korea, delivering long-term sovereign wealth returns through six overseas offices and a globally diversified portfolio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sovereign Wealth Fund

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399), Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Investment Management Advisory (RIA) (FSAEAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

SDG / Thematic Sustainable Investment Funds (FSANAJAN)

Keywords

• Sovereign wealth fund
• Global asset management
• Alternative investments
• Institutional investment management
• Foreign exchange reserves

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Investment Returns: KIC generates returns through managing entrusted national assets. The fund earns investment returns on its portfolio of global equities, bonds, and alternative assets. As a sovereign wealth fund, returns are reinvested to grow Korea's sovereign wealth and preserve purchasing power for future generations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) is South Korea's sovereign wealth fund that manages and invests national assets entrusted by the Korean government, Bank of Korea, and public funds across global financial markets. The fund invests in traditional assets (equities, bonds, asset allocation) and alternative assets (private equity, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, private credit) across 70 countries in 39 currencies. KIC also operates a securities lending program and recently launched a $230 million Bio R&D Investment Platform to support domestic biotech companies.

Product overview

Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) is South Korea's sovereign wealth fund managing $232 billion in assets as of end-2025. KIC operates as a unified investment management organization offering two core investment services: Traditional Asset Investment (equities, bonds, asset allocation representing 78% of portfolio) and Alternative Asset Investment (private equity, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, private credit at 22%). The fund recently launched a $230 million Bio R&D Investment Platform as its first direct domestic investment initiative. KIC maintains global presence through offices in Seoul (headquarters), New York, London, Singapore, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Mumbai.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traditional Asset Investment KIC's core investment service covering global equities, bonds, and asset allocation. Traditional assets represent 78% of total portfolio and include stocks, fixed income, and inflation-linked bonds.
• Alternative Asset Investment KIC's alternative investment service encompassing private equity, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, and private credit. Alternative assets represent 22% of total portfolio.
• Bio R&D Investment Platform $230 million investment platform supporting Korean biotech companies' global expansion, KIC's first direct domestic corporate investment initiative with Singapore-based CBC Group as co-manager.
• Securities Lending KIC's securities lending program allowing institutional investors to borrow KIC's securities holdings in exchange for collateral, generating additional returns.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13.91% annual return in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CBC GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2026CBC Group joined as co-manager for KIC's $230 million bio R&D investment platform. The platform supports domestic biotech companies in expanding globally and helps link Korean biotechs with overseas pharmaceutical partners.
• Indian AI Market PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIC organized the 3rd Mumbai International Financial Council to discuss India's AI market and investment opportunities. The Indian AI market is growing over 25% annually.
• Japanese Government (Ministry of Finance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan's Finance Minister Mimura attended the opening of KIC's Tokyo branch and stated he has been in close contact with South Korean officials to discuss market trends including the foreign exchange market.
• Korean Private Equity FirmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIC committed $100-200 million to 2-3 Korean private equity firms in its first allocation to homegrown PE houses, marking a strategic shift for the sovereign wealth fund which previously avoided domestic PE mandates.
• New York Financial IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIC hosted an event in New York where industry experts discussed slowing private equity exits and increasing demand for liquidity in secondary transactions.
• Public Community for Overseas Investment (PCOI) MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIC leads the PCOI with 26 member institutions including pension funds, mutual aid associations, and specialized banks to share overseas investment information and experiences.
• International Financial Cooperation Council (IFCC) MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIC operates IFCC with overseas offices in New York, London, Singapore, and San Francisco to share investment information and promote mutual cooperation with Korean public and private investment institutions.
• Hedge Fund Joint Venture PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIC established a hedge fund joint venture with National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, Seoul Guarantee Insurance, and Tongyang Life Insurance to support domestic financial institutions' overseas hedge fund investments.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mubadala Investment Company: Mubadala is Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth investor with ~$300B AUM, focusing on alternatives, private equity, and direct investments. Comparable to KIC given similar AUM scale, sovereign ownership, and increasing focus on alternatives and co-investments.
• Norway's Government Pension Fund Global (NBIM): NBIM manages the world's largest sovereign wealth fund (~$1.7T) under Norway's Government Pension Fund. Comparable to KIC as a sovereign wealth fund with global multi-asset mandate, strong governance framework, and emphasis on responsible investment.
• Temasek Holdings: Temasek is Singapore's state-owned investment company with a global portfolio spanning equities, alternatives, and direct investments. It is comparable to KIC in mandate, asset mix, and Asian sovereign ownership structure, though Temasek focuses more on direct equity holdings.
• Hong Kong Monetary Authority Investment Portfolio: HKMA manages Hong Kong's Exchange Fund investment portfolio (~$500B+) across global bonds and equities. Comparable to KIC as an Asian government-linked investment entity with global multi-asset mandate, though more bond-heavy.
• Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA): ADIA manages Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth with ~$900B+ AUM across global equities, fixed income, alternatives, and private equity. Comparable to KIC as a large, diversified sovereign wealth fund with global offices and long-duration mandates.
• Public Investment Fund (PIF) - Saudi Arabia: PIF is Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund with ~$925B AUM, focused on transforming Saudi Arabia's domestic economy and growing global alternatives. Comparable to KIC given sovereign ownership, large AUM, and recent emphasis on domestic investment alongside global deployment.
• GIC (Singapore): GIC is Singapore's sovereign wealth fund managing over $700B in assets, with a global mandate for equities, fixed income, and alternatives. It is the most direct comparable peer to KIC given similar Asian sovereign wealth fund structure, multi-asset mandate, and global diversification approach.
• China Investment Corporation (CIC): CIC is China's sovereign wealth fund with ~$1.3T AUM, focused on global alternatives and public market investments. Direct peer to KIC given sovereign ownership, large AUM, and similar multi-asset global investment mandate.
• Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA): KIA is one of the world's oldest sovereign wealth funds, managing Kuwait's Future Generations Fund and General Reserve Fund across global asset classes. Comparable to KIC given sovereign ownership, multi-asset mandate, and long-term horizon.

Regional players

• National Pension Service (NPS) of Korea: NPS is Korea's national pension fund managing ~$900B in assets globally. Comparable to KIC as Korea's largest institutional investor, though NPS operates as a pension fund rather than sovereign wealth fund. Significant domestic relationship as a fellow major Korean public investor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInkr.linkedin.com/company/koreainvestmentcorp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments7 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Korea Investment Corp