South Korea brokerages race to launch omnibus accounts as KOSPI hits record highs
Synopsis
Seven South Korean brokerages are simultaneously gearing up to launch foreign omnibus accounts after the FSC scrapped access restrictions in January 2025 — a regulatory pivot directly tied to South Korea's MSCI developed-market ambitions. Samsung Securities surged 28% and Kiwoom 14% in a single week, signalling the market believes this structural shift is real.
Key Takeaways
The Financial Services Commission (FSC) abolished restrictions on foreign omnibus accounts in January 2025 , removing a key barrier in place since 2017 .
Samsung Securities has partnered with Interactive Brokers LLC (IBKR) and launched a US pilot for omnibus accounts.
Kiwoom Securities has signed a similar deal with Webull Corp. ; Mirae Asset Securities targets a first-half 2025 launch.
A total of seven local brokerages are preparing omnibus account services, according to the FSC.
Samsung Securities shares surged over 28% and Kiwoom Securities over 14% in a single week on the news.
The push is linked to South Korea's bid for MSCI developed-market reclassification.
South Korean brokerages are aggressively expanding infrastructure and forging global partnerships to launch foreign omnibus accounts, aiming to attract a surge of overseas investors who have been central to the recent tech-driven rally that pushed the KOSPI benchmark index to unprecedented levels. The push, reported on 9 May 2025, reflects a broader regulatory shift that is reshaping access to South Korean equities.
Key Partnerships Taking Shape
Samsung Securities Co., one of South Korea's most prominent domestic brokerages, has partnered with Interactive Brokers LLC (IBKR), the global online brokerage platform, and launched a pilot service for foreign omnibus accounts in the United States. The arrangement allows international investors using IBKR to trade Korea-listed stocks directly through Samsung Securities' infrastructure, according to market insiders.
Major retail broker Kiwoom Securities Corp. has inked a similar deal with Webull Corp., a US-based broker-dealer. Meanwhile, Mirae Asset Securities Co., among the country's largest brokerages, has finalised its internal preparations and is actively contacting global clients with a target launch in the first half of 2025.
Point of View
And the market has priced it accordingly — 28% single-day gains do not happen on routine news. The real test will be whether streamlined foreign access translates into sustained capital inflows or merely a short-term trading catalyst. Critics might also note that South Korea has been on the cusp of MSCI reclassification before, only for governance and currency convertibility concerns to delay it. Omnibus accounts address access friction, but not the deeper structural issues that have kept South Korea in the emerging-market bracket.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are foreign omnibus accounts in South Korea?
Foreign omnibus accounts allow non-resident investors to trade South Korean equities directly through the brokerages they use in their home markets, eliminating the need to open separate local accounts. The system was first introduced in South Korea in 2017 but saw minimal adoption due to regulatory restrictions that were only lifted in January 2025.
Why are South Korean brokerages expanding omnibus account services now?
The Financial Services Commission abolished restrictions on who could open omnibus accounts in January 2025 as part of a government road map targeting MSCI developed-market status. This regulatory change has triggered a race among seven local brokerages to launch or expand such services and attract global capital.
Which brokerages have announced omnibus account partnerships?
Samsung Securities has partnered with Interactive Brokers LLC (IBKR) for a US pilot, Kiwoom Securities has signed a deal with Webull Corp., and Mirae Asset Securities is targeting a first-half 2025 launch. Toss Securities is also reviewing entry into the space.
How did brokerage stocks react to the omnibus account news?
Samsung Securities shares surged more than 28% on Monday following reports of its IBKR partnership, and Kiwoom Securities shares rose more than 14% in a single trading session the same week — reflecting strong market confidence in the revenue potential of expanded foreign access.
What is the connection between omnibus accounts and South Korea's MSCI upgrade?
MSCI has long cited foreign investor access constraints as a reason for keeping South Korea in the emerging-market category. By lifting omnibus account restrictions and simplifying cross-border equity trading, the FSC's January 2025 reform directly addresses one of the structural barriers to a developed-market reclassification.
