This paper analyzed the R&D activities of foreign companies in Korea. A survey was conducted using questionnaires along with the field interviews. The survey results show that some foreign companies in Korea actively carry out R&D indicating that Korea is becoming a R&D location for the multinational companies. It also shows the wide differences by industries, corporate size, foreign equity ratio, and home country of mother companies. It is suggested that Korean government should utilize the inward foreign direct investment to strengthen the national innovation system of Korea. Various policy measures were recommended to encourage foreign companies to have easier access to domestic R&D resources, carry out R&D activities, and interact with domestic R&D actors. It is also argued that it is necessary to eliminate negative environmental barriers perceived by foreign companies.