Gold Reserves of South Korea: 50 Years of Change
South Korea currently holds 104 tonnes of official gold and is holding steady. Here is how its reserves rose and fell over the last half-century.
Key moments in South Korea's gold history
- Bought 90 tonnes during 2011–13 near the then-peak; the BoK has held exactly 104.4 tonnes since, resisting calls to buy more.
The 50-year picture
South Korea is a holder, not a trader: its reserves of 104 tonnes have changed little across decades of market cycles. For countries in this camp, gold functions as a permanent foundation layer of the national balance sheet — insurance that is never meant to be spent.
Whatever an individual country does, the global trend is unambiguous: central banks collectively bought more than 1,000 tonnes a year from 2022 through 2025 — the heaviest official buying since the Bretton Woods era — and that demand is one of the forces behind today's record gold prices. For the full worldwide table, see gold reserves by country.
South Korea vs Pakistan
South Korea104 t
Pakistan64.7 tFAQs — South Korea Gold Reserves
How much gold does South Korea have?
South Korea holds approximately 104 tonnes of official gold reserves according to the latest IMF/World Gold Council reporting, ranking around #38 among all countries. At today's international price that gold is worth roughly $13.6 billion.
Is South Korea buying or selling gold?
South Korea's holdings have been broadly unchanged for years; the central bank neither buys nor sells in normal conditions.
Why do central banks hold gold?
Gold carries no counterparty risk, cannot be frozen or printed by another country, and historically holds value through currency crises — which is why central banks bought more gold in 2022–2025 than in any period since the 1960s.
Where does South Korea rank compared with Pakistan?
Pakistan holds about 64.7 tonnes. South Korea, with 104 tonnes, ranks above Pakistan in official gold holdings.
Disclaimer: The gold and silver rates provided on this website are aggregated from various local bullion markets and Sarafa Associations across Pakistan. While we strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date information, these prices are indicative and subject to continuous market fluctuations. They do not include making charges, local taxes, or dealer commissions. We recommend verifying the final price with your local jeweller before making any transaction.
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