Seoul as a financial center

Seoul's Global Financial Center Index (GFCI) Ranking Trend

The Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI) is an index that publishes rankings of financial centers around the world. The first index was published in 2007 and since then it is published twice a year, once in March and once in September.

Advantages of Seoul's financial industry

• 

  Advantages of Seoul's financial industry

  - Five consecutive years at the top of the UN e-Government Survey. UN-Rutgers University(SPAA) 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and
  Rutgers University only in 2011, 2013, 2015

  - 3rd out of 126 cities in terms of financial infrastructure International Financial Centers Index (GFCI), Z/Yen, 2021

• 

  The size of the public offering is rapidly expanding in the IPO market.

  - Maintaining an increasing scale, the IPO public offering amount reached 3.9 trillion won, up 16.4% from the previous year. Service of Financial Supervision, 2024

  - Analysis of IPO market trends shows that the proportion of IPOs priced above the upper end of the offering price band hit a record high of 66%. Service of Financial Supervision, 2024

• 

  One of the three biggest pension funds in the world by size is the National Pension Fund of the Republic of Korea.

• 

  In comparison to the rest of the globe, the level of financial knowledge among market participants in the domestic financial industry is very high.

  - Additionally, the national financial comprehension scored 67 out of 100, which is 63 points higher than the average score across the 20 OECD nations.
  Financial Supervisory Service, 2023 Financial Understanding Survey

• 

  The startup market is expanding and receiving more assistance, which has led to an increase in the number of unicorn businesses.

  - The scale of venture investment reached approximately KRW 11.9 trillion, reflecting a 9.5% increase from the previous year.
  Current state of small and medium-sized businesses and venture investment associations. Korea Venture Capital Association, H1 2024.

  - According to small and medium-sized businesses and venture investment associations. the status of domestic unicorn firms for 2022,
  there are now 22 domestic unicorn companies, an increase of 5 from the previous year.

• 

  Innovative financial services can be used to create and support financial services embracing new technology based on the financial regulatory sandbox.

  - The Korean government passed the Special Act on Financial Innovation Support on April 1.

• 

  The fourth industrial technology, which is focused on digital communication and is the foundation of the fintech sector, has outstanding infrastructure in Seoul.

  - #28 of 238 cities in terms of fintech Findexable's Global Fintech Index for 2020

• 

  The financial hub of Korea, with its many financial institutions and networking opportunities, is Yeouido in particular.

Seoul culture and environment

• 

  Seoul is acting as a global center that connects not just Asia but the entire world.

• 

  Seoul is home to 155 missions. Ministry of Foreign Affairs address book for diplomatic posts in Korea, 2024

• 

  Seoul has 396 international school classes in total. Statistics about Seoul's Foreign Schools from the Ministry of Education, 2023
  With 48 active universities, funding for education is made simple. Universities, the National Statistical Office 2024

• 

  Numerous groups for immigrants and foreign residents can help resolve the inconveniences of daily living.