South Korea's young venture-driven stock market saw its market capitalization more than double over the past year, data showed Tuesday, on the back of the government's push to foster small- and medium-sized companies.

The Korea New Exchange had a market cap of 3.6 trillion won (US$3.08 billion) as of Monday, soaring from 1.4 trillion won posted at end-2014, data compiled by bourse operator Korea Exchange showed.

It also marked a giant leap from 0.9 trillion in 2013, when the market first opened its doors. The number of listed firms also rose to 108, compared to 21 posted at the opening.

Around 35 percent of the companies are involved in the information technology industry, while 22.7 percent are biotechnology companies.

By type of investor, individuals took up 74 percent, trailed by institutions and foreigners with 13 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. Other forms of investors accounted for 11.8 percent.

The figures compare with the tech-heavy KOSDAQ market, where retail investors account for 88.5 percent, followed by foreigners and institutions with 5.7 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively.

The KRX added 14 companies that have moved up to the KOSDAQ market from the KONEX so far since its launch. The bourse operator said the new stock market will work as a ladder for smaller firms to tap the secondary market. (Yonhap)