Samil PwC Publishes "Overseas IPO Guide" for Companies Preparing for Listing

Includes Global IPO Trends and Key Considerations

Samil PwC announced on the 19th that it has published the "2025 Overseas IPO Guide" for companies preparing for overseas listings.

Since 2015, Samil PwC has been closely monitoring overseas capital markets in more than 10 countries, including the United States, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom, and has published an annual guide containing the latest information. Since its publication, the guide has served as a comprehensive manual for companies preparing for overseas IPOs.

The guide includes: ▲ a comparison and analysis of overseas capital markets and their respective advantages and disadvantages; ▲ trends in overseas IPOs; ▲ considerations for overseas IPOs; ▲ the current status of Korean companies' overseas listings; and ▲ listing requirements for overseas capital markets.

Regarding recent overseas IPO trends, the guide forecasts, "Although market uncertainty has spread due to tariff policies originating in the United States, the U.S. IPO market is expected to foster a dynamic environment based on innovation and resilience, leading to active activity and growth opportunities in the future."

It further analyzed that, amid trade tensions between the United States and China, the Hong Kong capital market is emerging as an alternative, and the Hong Kong IPO pipeline has increased significantly. More than 60% of companies listed on the Hong Kong capital market are either Chinese companies (H-Share) or Chinese companies listed through offshore holding companies (Non-H Share).

In the section on the current status of Korean companies' overseas listings, the guide introduces companies listed in the United States, including Coupang, which was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2021; Webtoon Entertainment, which was listed on the NASDAQ in 2024; and K Wave Media, which was listed on the NASDAQ in 2025 through a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC).

Jung Seungwon, Head of the U.S. Listed Companies Audit Support Center (Partner) at Samil PwC, stated, "We hope that this guide, based on Samil PwC's unparalleled experience in overseas listing advisory, will help domestic companies gain a broader perspective and deeper understanding of overseas capital markets."

Meanwhile, Samil PwC also offers an "IPO Readiness Assessment" service for companies considering overseas IPOs, which analyzes which country and listing track would be most suitable for their IPO. Detailed information about the guide and the service can be found on the Samil PwC website.