[Digital Today reporter Sangyeop Oh] Samsung Asset Management said on April 9 that its KODEX 200 ETF has surpassed 20 trillion won in net assets, reaching 20.13 trillion won. It is the first time a single product has exceeded 20 trillion won in net assets since ETFs were first introduced to the South Korean market in 2002.

KODEX 200 net assets have increased by 8.43 trillion won so far this year, and individuals’ net buying amounts to 2.19 trillion won. After posting a 94.5 percent return last year, it has also recorded a 46.3 percent return since the start of this year, continuing a steady trend.

The financial investment industry expects that, as the RIA (domestic market return account) system is introduced, investors who had focused on U.S. stocks or overseas ETFs will accelerate the shift of funds into domestic flagship products such as KODEX 200.

Jaeuk Jung (정재욱), head of Samsung Asset Management’s ETF Management Team 3, said, "KODEX 200 offers broad investment opportunities across industries that form the core driving force of the Korean economy." He said it is "the optimal means" to invest efficiently in companies leading each industry, including semiconductor bellwethers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.