The number of newcomers to South Korea's stock market reached the highest in 13 years, with more standing in line for a market debut, data showed Wednesday.

As of last Tuesday, a total of 119 companies went public on the main KOSPI market or the tech-laden KOSDAQ market this year, with another nine scheduled to make a stock market debut by year's end, according to data compiled by the Korea Exchange.

By market, 17 firms made a debut on the KOSPI market, with two more to go public this year, and the remaining 102 entities were newly listed on the tech-laden KOSDAQ market, with seven others planning for an initial public offering this year.

The 2015 figure is the largest since 2002 when 178 firms went public on the back of the IT venture boom, the KRX said.

Since the IT boom has died down and the venture capital market has been in the doldrums, the number of newly listed firms on the local bourses had tumbled to a two-digit figure, except in 2010 when 108 firms made an IPO.

"Such a vigorous mood is expected to go well into next year, and investors have been taking a close look at big-name firms' entries," KRX official Kim Ju-yong said, noting that at least five firms have filed for a preliminary review for the IPO.

The spotlight includes Hotel Lotte, which submitted an application this week to the KRX for a KOSPI entry. Factoring in the time required for the assessment and pre-order process, its market debut could take place as early as March, according to company and KRX officials.

Also drawing attention is whether Samsung Biologics will opt for the KOSDAQ over the NASDAQ.

The biopharmaceutical manufacturer affiliated with the country's top conglomerate, the Samsung Group, is widely anticipated to go public in the second half of next year, though the firm has remained mum on the timeframe. If listed, it will beat Celltrion Inc. to be the No. 1 in market cap. (Yonhap)