11:28 - 13.08.2026

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August 13, Fineko/abc.az. The Bank of Korea (BOK) has made its first gold-linked investment since 2013, joining central banks worldwide in turning to bullion amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

According to a regulatory filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the BOK held 679,765 shares worth approximately $250 million in SPDR Gold Shares—the world's largest physically backed gold ETF—at the end of the second quarter.

Key Highlights:

• Reserve Classification: Gold ETFs are treated as securities and incorporated into foreign exchange reserves, meaning the BOK's physical gold reserves remain unchanged at 104.4 tonnes.

• Global Context: World Gold Council data reveals central banks purchased a net 289 tonnes of gold in Q2, marking a historic high for the period.