Emergence of Thematic ETFs in South Korea
Hanwha Asset Management and Shinhan Asset Management's thematic ETFs have each surpassed 1 trillion KRW in assets, gaining significant attention. Hanwha's PLUS K-Defense ETF has posted a remarkable return of 172.46% year-to-date, establishing itself as a success story of the global expansion of South Korea's defense industry and strategic investment execution.
Shinhan's SOL Shipbuilding TOP3 Plus ETF also surpassed 1 trillion KRW, achieving a 60.78% return last year. The rise of these ETFs demonstrates the effectiveness of thematic ETF strategies by smaller asset managers, even in a market dominated by large firms. Consequently, domestic equity ETFs have outperformed their overseas counterparts, showcasing the potential for growth in Korea's ETF market.
Meanwhile, Mirae Asset's TIGER K-Defense & Space ETF recorded a 53.41% return over the past three months, leading among domestic defense ETFs. The increased geopolitical tensions, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict and Middle East conflicts, have heightened interest in the defense sector, with substantial investments into leading firms like Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1.
These impressive results highlight the strategic investment and market adaptability of Korean thematic ETFs. Interest in domestic dividend ETFs is also rising, with 'PLUS High Dividend Stocks' nearing the 1 trillion KRW mark. Such trends will strengthen South Korea's position in the global ETF market.
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Shipbuilding & Defense…A Domestic Equity 'Mega ETF' EmergesShipbuilding & Defense…A domestic equity mega ETF emerges. SOL Shipbuilding Top 3 and PLUS K-Defense reach the 1 trillion asset club for the first time in 4 years, PLUS high dividend is also likely to soon surpass. Investors flock to the thriving domestic stock market, easing the concentration in the US ETF market is expected.
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Defense Stocks Surge Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions... Mirae Asset Management's ETF Ranks First in Returns Over the Past 3 Months - Seoul EconomySecurities > Domestic Stock Market News: Mirae Asset Management's product, the 'TIGER K Defense & Space Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF),' has achieved the highest returns among defense ETFs listed on the domestic stock market over the past 3 months...
대한금융신문2025 6月 19
Mirae Asset Management, 'TIGER K Defense & Space' achieves top defense ETF returns over the last 3 months - The Korea Financial NewsMirae Asset Management announced on the 19th that the ‘TIGER K Defense & Space ETF’ ranked first in returns among all defense exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over the past three months. According to KOSCOM ETFCheck, as of the 18th, the 3-month return of ‘TIGER K Defense & Space ETF’ was 53.41%. This is the highest return among domestically listed defense investment ETFs. Mirae Asset Securities explained that the sharp rise is driven by the increased geopolitical tensions following the Ukraine-Russia war and the recent Israel-Iran conflict, as well as the expansion of South Korea's defense industry exports.
"If the Product is Good, It Sells"… Mid-Sized Firms' Star ETFs Surpass 1 Trillion Won - Yonhap InfomaxWhile the oligopoly of large asset management companies continues in the domestic ETF market, mid-sized firms are achieving significant results with differentiated thematic ETFs. Hanwha Asset Management and Shinhan Asset Management have each achieved the milestone of surpassing 1 trillion won in net assets with defense and shipbuilding themes, demonstrating that 'a good product sells.' As of the 19th, according to the Yonhap Infomax ETP Indicator Analysis, Hanwha Asset Management's PLUS K-Defense ETF has a current net asset value of 1.093 billion won. Since the beginning of the year, it has increased by 7.308 billion won, ranking first in return among all domestic listed ETFs.
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If 'this' is attached to the name, you must buy it”…OOOETF exceeds 1 trillion won in net assets - Maeil Business NewsHanwha Asset Management K-Defense ETF surpasses 1 trillion won