Foreign direct investment in South Korea in the first nine months of 2016 rose 13.4% from a year ago, South Korea's government said Tuesday.

    The number of registered foreign companies reached over 16,000, accounting for 13.4% of the total revenue and 18% of exports in Asia's fourth-largest economy, South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said.     The foreign companies employed 6% of the total work force in the nation, it noted.

    The ministry said high-value added industries, such as the advanced technology and service sectors, have seen hikes in the foreign capital inflow, and the nationality of investors has also diversified over recent years, according to South Korea's (Yonhap) News Agency. "We will provide support to create the best business environment so that foreign companies can continue to expand investment and contribute to the national economy," South Korea's Vice Trade Minister Jeong Marn-ki said.