South Korea IPO Market Plunges in H1 2026, 13 of 17 New Listings Fall Below Offering Prices

According to KB Securities, South Korea's IPO market contracted sharply in the first half of 2026, with only 17 new listings on Kospi and Kosdaq combined, down 55% from 38 companies in the same period last year. Total fundraising fell 49% to 1.13 trillion won, with market capitalization at listing declining 47% to 7.36 trillion won.

Of the 17 new companies, 13 saw their share prices fall below offering prices by June 30. K Bank, the sole Kospi debut, dropped 31.6% to 5,680 won from its 8,300 won offering price in March, with market capitalization shrinking from 3.4 trillion won to 2.3 trillion won.