South Korea’s overseas direct investment increased 17 percent this year.

According to data by the Finance Ministry, the country's overseas direct investment reached 27-point-05 billion U.S. dollars in the first nine months of the year, up 17-point-one percent year-on-year.

Investment in financial and insurance businesses soared 86-point-nine percent reaching seven-point-15 billion dollars. 

Investments in manufacturing and mining also increased, while real estate and property rental services fell 29-point-nine percent.

By region, investments in Asia experienced the largest growth of 46-point-six percent, while investments in China and Europe decreased ten-point-five percent and nine-point-two percent respectively.