82.3% of Target Achieved ($600 Million)
Cumulative Reported FDI Reaches $15.99 Billion
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced on June 26 that the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) reported in the first half of this year reached $493.7 million.
This figure represents 82.3% of this year’s target of $600 million. The reported FDI by quarter was $309.61 million in the first quarter and $184.09 million in the second quarter.
In the first quarter, there were a series of FDI reports in the bio and advanced materials manufacturing sectors, including $250 million from Sartorius Korea Operations and $24.5 million from TOK Advanced Materials. In the second quarter, offshore wind power company Orsted reported $119.6 million, and retail company Costco Korea (Cheongna Branch) reported $61.4 million.
FDI applies to cases where the investment amount is at least KRW 100 million and the foreign investment ratio is at least 10%, allowing relatively free business operations in Korea.
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority plans to steadily pursue investment attraction projects and the expansion of the free economic zone to the southern part of Ganghwa, and to exceed its FDI reporting target of $600 million again this year, following last year’s achievement, through activities such as investment promotion linked to the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
To this end, in line with the government’s K-content promotion policy, the authority is focusing on attracting investment from the global video, media, and entertainment industries to establish ‘K-Con Land’ in the airport economic zone.
In addition, the development of Songdo Districts 6 and 8 (Songdo Landmark City) is being carried out without delays, while Songdo District 11 is being developed as an advanced industry cluster, with land reclamation and infrastructure construction underway.
Furthermore, investment attraction activities are being promoted at events such as the APEC meeting, the World Korean Business Convention to be held in Incheon this October, and the ‘INVEST KOREA SUMMIT 2025’ in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
Through the additional designation of free economic zones, the authority plans to establish an artificial intelligence (AI)-based intelligent transportation and logistics system in the southern part of Ganghwa Island, and to create a historical and cultural tourism district, a K-culture cluster, and an eco-friendly wellness residential complex to continuously attract foreign investment.
Yoon Wonseok, Commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, said, “Through the successful implementation of large-scale project businesses and investment attraction, the cumulative reported FDI has reached $15.9904 billion, accounting for 70% of the total performance of all free economic zones in Korea. We will do our utmost to promote various development projects to ensure sustainable foreign investment in the future.”
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