Fewer firms seek listing on KOSDAQ

The number of KOSDAQ-listed companies is decreasing as the world economic slowdown drags on.

A total of 1,011 companies are listed on the KOSDAQ as of Tuesday, according to the Korea Exchange on Wednesday, which is a decrease of 20 compared to the same period the previous year. The number of categories also decreased by 20, to 1,016.

KOSDAQ did not throw out more companies but less companies sought to be listed, said market insiders. Korea Exchange said that 13 companies were newly listed or relisted this year until Sept. 11, while 35 did during the same period last year.

If the trend continues, the number of listed companies may soon fall below 1,000 just five years after it surpassed that figure in 2007.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)