Korean derivatives trading volumes almost double in Q1

South Korea saw a 93.5% increase in the notional volume of derivatives trading in the first quarter of 2006. In January to March, 12,907 trillion won ($13.7 trillion) were traded, compared with 6,671 trillion won in the corresponding period last year.

Most notable was the volume of exchange-traded derivatives, which more than doubled to 11,829 trillion won in the first quarter from 5,709 trillion last year, largely due to 5,528 trillion won traded in Korea's Kospi 200 options.

Korea is the most