South Korea Sees Soaring Interest in AI ETFs as ACE Fund Capturing Full AI Value Chain Breaks Records

Korean Investors Rush Into New U.S. AI Tech ETF As Demand Surges

Korea Investment Management’s newly launched ACE U.S. AI Tech Core Industry Active ETF has attracted strong interest from individual investors, with on-chain data showing net purchases of 28 billion Korean won on its creation day, October 28.

Within five days, cumulative individual net purchases exceeded 76 billion won, highlighting early confidence in AI-driven investment strategies.

Why Are Investors Flocking To AI Now

A spokesperson from Korea Investment Management told local media,

“The evolution of AI technology is not a simple trend but a structural renewal across industries, and it has already permeated deeply into everyday life. Investment in the AI industry is no longer a matter of ‘whether to do it,’ but a question of ‘what to include and how.’”

The firm emphasises that its ETF captures the full AI value chain, dynamically adjusting allocations across computing infrastructure, AI hardware, energy infrastructure, and AI software to reflect market shifts.

How The ETF Captures The Entire AI Ecosystem

The ACE U.S. AI Tech Core Industry Active ETF is designed to track the industrial transformation driven by artificial intelligence.

Korea Investment Management notes that the leading sectors within AI evolve at each development stage, and the ETF is structured to adapt accordingly.

Nam Yong-soo, Head of ETF Management Division, said,

“AI, big tech, and semiconductors are not short-term trend sectors but megatrends fundamentally transforming industrial structures. Broad benefits are expected from AI infrastructure to application stages, and their influence will grow as changes accelerate.”

Focus On U.S. Tech Giants And Growth Drivers

The fund is part of Korea Investment Management’s rebranded ACE ETF lineup, which now emphasises U.S. technology and growth stocks.

The ACE U.S. Big Tech TOP7 Plus ETF, for example, invests in seven major U.S. technology firms including Google, NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft, capturing key growth drivers such as cloud services, AI, data centres, and platform businesses.

Since its September 2023 listing, the ETF has seen steady inflows, with individual net purchases totalling 124 billion won year-to-date.

The fund has experienced 16 consecutive days of net individual buying, alongside stable returns of 45.28% over six months, 45.55% over one year, and a post-listing gain of 129.61%.

Semiconductors Remain Core To AI Expansion

Korea Investment Management also highlights semiconductors as a critical infrastructure connecting AI, data centres, and automotive electronics.

Its ACE Global Semiconductor TOP4 Plus ETF focuses on memory, non-memory, foundry, and semiconductor equipment sectors.

The firm’s ETF assets now total 632.7 billion won, reflecting a six-month return of 103.77% and a post-listing gain of 377.34%, with share prices exceeding 40,000 won.

At the time of reporting, Korea Investment Management shares were trading around 172,399 KRW.

How Market Trends Shape Investment Strategy

Nam Yong-soo explained that ACE ETFs categorise market trends into core axes to structure investment areas, ensuring that strategic options remain aligned with investor demand.

“Now is the optimal timing for AI investment for those aiming to stand at the centre of artificial investment innovation.”

The firm is proactively positioning itself within the rapidly evolving AI sector.

This approach positions Korea Investment Management as a key player for investors seeking to gain exposure across the full spectrum of AI technologies, from foundational infrastructure to emerging applications.