Foreign investors have bought a large amount of shares traded on the country's tech-laden KOSDAQ market this year, sending the market's index 5.14 percent higher, data showed Monday.

Offshore investors have scooped up a net 540 billion won ($539 million) on the secondary market so far this year, extending their buying spree to a third consecutive month, according to the data compiled by the Korea Exchange.

In contrast, retail investors have offloaded a net 458 billion so far this year, the data showed.

Seoul Semiconductor Co., a leading LED supplier, was the most favored stock by foreign investors with a net 90.5 billion won, followed by WeMade Entertainment Co., an online game developer, with a net 83.4 billion won, and CJ O shopping Co. with 65.9 billion won.

Seoul Semiconductor has risen 14 percent so far this year, and WeMade Entertainment has enjoyed a 53 percent rise, the data showed.

SungKwang Bend Co., a maker of pipe fittings, topped the list of net buying by retail investors with 48.1 billion won, followed by SundayToz Inc., a mobile game developer, with a net 35.9 billion won, they showed. (Yonhap)