Startup funds in South Korea are attracting a growing amount of investment from individuals seeking high returns.  

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on Wednesday that individuals invested a combined 137-point-three billion won in the so-called venture funds in the January-June period. The funds surpassed 130-point-six billion won from individual investors throughout last year. 

The uptick was attributed to increased tax benefits for venture fund investors and the funds' sound return rates.