▲ Financial data is shown on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Sept. 16, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- Foreign investors became net buyers of South Korean stocks in August ending their seven-month selling binge despite geopolitical tensions and rising bond yields, central bank data showed Thursday.

Offshore investors bought a net US$0.4 billion worth of local stocks last month, following a net selling of $20.7 billion in July, according to data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).

Foreign investors had been net sellers of local stocks since January this year.

The BOK said foreign investors snatched up local stocks, backed by improved sentiment helped by sound earnings from big tech firms in the United States amid resurgent Middle East tensions and lingering concerns over excessive investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

They, meanwhile, sold off $4.53 billion worth of local bonds last month, following a $0.96 billion sell-off the previous month.

The won was trading at 1,368.6 won per dollar at the end of August, compared with 1,424.0 won a month earlier.

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