The value of investment funds in South Korea rose sharply in the first six months of the year, data showed Wednesday. The net asset value of investment funds here came to 1,069.5 trillion won (US$771.8 billion) as of end-June, up 98.1 trillion won from six months earlier, according to the data from the Korea Financial Investment Association. The rise compares with 68 trillion-won on-year growth in 2023. The sharp increase was partly attributed to a rise in stock and bond funds, which gained 18.6 trillion won and 18.7 trillion won, respectively, in net value in the January-June period. Stock funds that invest in overseas markets saw their net value grow 16 trillion won over the cited period, bringing their total value to 56.7 trillion won. As of end-June, private equity funds stood at 653.6 trillion won, up 30.5 trillion won from six months earlier. Source: Yonhap News Agency