foreign direct investment. Thanks to government efforts to attract foreign

investors and new free trade deals, Seoul is hoping to top last year′s record this

year. Song Ji-sun has the details.

Seoul proved to be an attractive investment destination for foreign investors last year,...

thanks to a wider network of free trade deals and government support for direct investment.

According to the trade ministry,... total foreign direct investment came to 19 billion

dollars last year,... up more than 30 percent from a year earlier and topping the previous

record set in 2012. By region, investment from China soared nearly

150 percent to 1-point-2 billion dollars. China′s investment portfolio was diverse

as well,... ranging from resort complexes to cultural contents and fashion.

Investment from the U.S. also edged up, reflecting the economic recovery there,... but the amount

from Japan shrunk due to the weakening Japanese yen.

Foreign direct investment rose across all sectors from manufacturing to services, especially

in parts production and business consulting. The trade ministry said an easing of regulations,

coupled with a boost in investment sentiment following recent FTAs,... encouraged foreign

investors to increase their input in Korea. Seoul is now looking to top the 20 billion

dollar mark in foreign direct investment in 2015.

Song Ji-sun, Arirang News.