South Korean investors are showing increased enthusiasm for Chinese assets, driven by China's steady economic growth and rapid advancements in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, robotics, and new energy industries. As of last Friday, the cumulative trading volume of South Korean investors in Chinese stocks, including those listed in Hong Kong, had reached approximately 6.7 billion U.S. dollars this year, nearly triple the amount during the same period last year, according to the latest data from Korea Securities Depository. China has now become the second-largest destination for South Korean overseas investment. Notably, sectors such as technology, electric vehicles, biotechnology, and robotics accounted for the majority of net purchases. Retail investors in South Korea, who have always played an active role in the local stock market, are participating enthusiastically in this wave of Chinese asset investments. The visa-free policy trial for South Korean citizens introduced by China at the end of 2024 has also allowed more Koreans to gain first-hand insight into China's development, further boosting confidence in the Chinese market. The growing interest in Chinese assets has also positively impacted the performance of South Korean financial institutions. In the second quarter of this year, Korea Investment and Securities, one of the country's major brokerage firms, reported a net profit of approximately 577 billion won (around 412.7 million U.S. dollars), surging nearly 70 percent year-over-year. The company attributed the strong performance largely to a significant increase in commission fees from stock brokerage services, including overseas equity trading. As demand for Chinese investments continues to rise, asset management companies in South Korea are accelerating their expansion into the Chinese market. Many are strengthening their China research teams and developing publicly offered funds such as China-themed ETFs. "Previously, there were more index-based ETFs such as CSI 300 and Hang Seng Tech. But starting this year, many products focused on Chinese tech, such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and humanoid robots have emerged," said a ETF department head of South Korean-based firm Timefolio Asset Management. To date, 55 China-themed ETFs are listed on the Korean Exchange. Data from the exchange showed that from August 18 to 22, the top ten best-performing ETFs in terms of returns were all China-related products, with an average return of about 12 percent, and the highest exceeded 16 percent. SHOTLIST: FILE: Seoul, South Korea - July 16, 2022 1. National flag of South Korea; FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Sept 2021 2. Various of exterior, sign of Korea Exchange; FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Aug 5, 2024 3. Staff members at stock exchange; Seoul, South Korea - Recent 4. SOUNDBITE (Korean) ETF department head, South Korean-based firm Timefolio Asset Management (name not given) (ending with shot 5): "Previously, there were more index-based ETFs such as CSI 300 and Hang Seng Tech. But starting this year, many products focused on Chinese tech, such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and humanoid robots have emerged."; FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Aug 5, 2024 5. Various of staff member at stock exchange, screens showing information; FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Nov 2-5, 2021 6. Various of Xiaomi home appliances on display; FILE: Incheon, South Korea - Recent 7. Various of BYD exhibition, consumers examining BYD vehicles, experiencing BYD vehicle; FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Date Unknown 8. Bank clerk serving clients; 9. South Korean won banknotes going through cash counting machine; 10. Bank counters; 11. Various of road traffic. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]