Korean brokerages look abroad, court foreign investors for growth

Korean brokerages are stepping up their overseas expansion and efforts to attract foreign investors as they seek to reduce their dependence on domestic trading income and sustain profits, industry officials said Monday. Meritz Securities, the only one of Korea's 10 largest brokerages without an overseas presence, is reportedly preparing to establish its first foreign subsidiary in Hong Kong. The unit will source investment opportunities in bonds and alternative assets, supporting the group's investment banking business. Mirae Asset Securities and Toss Securities are also considering acquisitions of local brokerages in Japan, where a resurgent equity market has drawn increasing interest from global investors. NH Investment & Securities, meanwhile, acquired a roughly 32 percent stake in Choice Equity Broking, the securities arm of India's Choice Group, on July 9, becoming the third Korean brokerage to enter the Indian market. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval. As of 2025, 16 Korean securities firms were operating a total of 93 overseas offices across 15 countries, acco