How does a Korean IPO work?

Registration statement, institutional book-building, final offer price, a retail subscription that usually runs two days, allocation and refunds, then listing. Every date and figure comes from the DART registration statement.

How much can an IPO move on its first day?

The first-day price may range from 60% to 400% of the offer price, so moves are much larger than the usual 30% daily band.

Can foreign investors subscribe to Korean IPOs?

Retail subscription runs through Korean brokerage accounts at the underwriting brokers, so it depends on the account you hold. The filings themselves are public and are summarised on the IPO pages here.

ATS View

한국어

IPO shares (공모주)

Shares sold to the public when a private Korean company lists for the first time, allocated through subscriptions.
Also known as: Initial public offering

What it is

When a company first lists on the Korea Exchange it sells new shares, sometimes with existing holders' shares, to institutional and retail investors.

The process

Registration statement → institutional book-building → final offer price → retail subscription (usually two days) → allocation and refunds → listing. Dates, price and underwriters appear in the DART registration statement.

What to keep in mind

On the first trading day the price limit ranges from 60% to 400% of the offer price, so moves can be large. Check where the price landed in the range, institutional lock-up commitments and the float available at listing.

IPO allocation calculator

See related filings and news data →

This explanation is general information, not investment advice. Rules reflect September 2026 and may change; check official exchange and broker notices.

IPO shares (공모주): questions

How does a Korean IPO work?: Registration statement, institutional book-building, final offer price, a retail subscription that usually runs two days, allocation and refunds, then listing. Every date and figure comes from the DART registration statement.
How much can an IPO move on its first day?: The first-day price may range from 60% to 400% of the offer price, so moves are much larger than the usual 30% daily band.
Can foreign investors subscribe to Korean IPOs?: Retail subscription runs through Korean brokerage accounts at the underwriting brokers, so it depends on the account you hold. The filings themselves are public and are summarised on the IPO pages here.