'Korean Defense ETF' KDEF Named Finalist for 2026 ETF.com Awards

An ETF themed on the Korean defense industry has made its presence felt on the international investment stage by being named as a finalist for the '2026 ETF.com Awards,' announced by ETF.com, a leading U.S. media outlet and data platform specializing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

According to the financial investment industry on January 9, the 'PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF),' which was listed on the U.S. stock market with an index provided by Hanwha Asset Management, was selected as a finalist in the Best International New ETF category.

The PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) is a product that upgraded the index of Hanwha Asset Management's PLUS K-Defense ETF to meet U.S. market listing standards, provided the index to ETC, and was listed through white labeling.

Each year, ETF.com evaluates ETFs launched during the year based on the differentiation of their strategy, usefulness to investors, and market impact, and selects its finalists accordingly.

The Best International category targets new ETFs that invest outside the United States, which means that KDEF has officially become a subject of comparison and evaluation from a global investor perspective. In fact, the list of finalists includes products from world-renowned asset management firms such as Vanguard, VanEck, and Lazard, as well as large thematic ETFs operating in the U.S. with assets under management of about $1 billion. The inclusion of a Korean defense industry-themed ETF alongside these products demonstrates that the status of Korea’s defense industry has been elevated in the global investment market.

The market views this nomination as evidence that 'Korean defense' is establishing itself as an investment theme in international capital markets. With growing interest in the defense sector amid geopolitical tensions and an expanding trend in global defense spending, the fact that a product offering exposure to Korean defense companies has been nominated for a major award in the U.S. ETF industry is seen as symbolic. It signifies that the sector is now being recognized as an investment idea at the sector level, beyond mere interest in individual stocks.

The ETF.com Awards are regarded as a prestigious event in the U.S. ETF industry. The process is based on editorial and expert reviews, not simply popularity voting. After public nominations, the ETF.com editorial board selects the finalists, and an independent panel of ETF experts votes to determine the winners.

For this reason, major asset management firms use the ETF.com Awards as a form of third-party validation recognized externally. In fact, Vanguard mentions the ETF.com Awards as an industry evaluation case on the 'Accolades' page of its official website.

Regardless of whether the product wins, being selected as a finalist is considered significant in itself. With over 4,500 ETFs listed on the U.S. stock market, being named an official finalist signals that the product has demonstrated a certain level of differentiation and investment value in a crowded ETF market.

Choi Youngjin, Vice President of Hanwha Asset Management, explained, "The nomination of KDEF as a finalist is evidence that the Korean defense theme is beginning to be recognized as a true peer in the global investment market." He added, "Now that we have been shortlisted for the ETF.com Awards, known as the 'Academy Awards of ETFs,' we will offer a variety of products in the global market to attract international investors."