IBK Industrial Bank of Korea Approves $1.35B Support for National Growth Fund Investments

IBK Industrial Bank of Korea said Tuesday it has approved W1.35 trillion in support this year for advanced strategic industries as part of its plan to participate in the W10 trillion National Growth Fund.

The bank said it will supply a total of W1.35 trillion to advanced strategic industries and related ecosystems alongside the fund, including W850 billion for corporate investment and W500 billion for infrastructure.

In the corporate investment segment, the bank will provide W850 billion in tailored risk capital across the life cycle of innovative small and venture firms, supporting technology development and commercialization.

Investments in innovative small and venture companies will be made through managers with experience and expertise in running fund-of-funds, while the bank will select managers directly to make customized investments in scale-up and mature-stage companies, it said.

In infrastructure, the bank will invest W500 billion in expanding energy-related facilities such as power, water and artificial intelligence data centers, as well as projects tied to national strategic industries. The fund will be managed by IBK Asset Management and will be financed entirely with group capital, the bank said.

"Financial support for advanced strategic industry companies and infrastructure is both IBK's core role and a key strength," a bank official said. "We will actively recommend strong projects identified by IBK to the National Growth Fund to support its successful operation."