Korea Financial Investment Association Launches Forum to Map Next Decade for Capital Markets

Participants in the launch ceremony for the K-Capital Markets Forum pose for a photo at the Korea Financial Investment Association Center in Seoul's Yeouido district on the 27th. [Photo=Korea Financial Investment Association]

The Korea Financial Investment Association has formed the K-Capital Markets Forum and begun talks on a mid- to long-term strategy to design the next decade for South Korea’s capital markets, looking beyond efforts to address the so-called Korea discount. The group said it aims to produce a roadmap that goes beyond policy suggestions and can lead to institutional reforms and legislation.

The association held a launch ceremony for the forum on the 27th in Seoul’s Yeouido district and started full-scale discussions to draw up a 10-year blueprint. The forum’s stated goals are to craft a long-term growth strategy and derive a step-by-step implementation roadmap.

Beginning in May, the forum will meet monthly to discuss key agendas including innovation-led growth and job creation; expanding access based on digital finance; retirement income security and long-term asset building; modernization of market infrastructure; stronger global competitiveness; and investor protection and market trust. The association said the framework targets both household wealth building and national economic growth.

The forum has eight members: Hwang Seong-yeop, chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association, who will serve as chair; Kim Se-wan, president of the Korea Capital Market Institute; Shin Je-yoon, chair of Samsung Electronics’ board of directors; Yoo Sang-ho, senior vice chairman of Korea Investment & Securities; Jeong Sang-gi, former vice chairman of Mirae Asset Global Investments; Jeong Sun-seop, a professor at Seoul National University School of Law; Choi Un-yeol, chairman of the Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants; and Hong Seong-guk, former president of Daewoo Securities.

The Korea Capital Market Institute will support the forum’s work. The association said a working-level consultative body, expert working groups and advisers — about 100 experts in total — will participate to reflect views from the field. The results will be compiled into a policy report after a year of intensive review and are to be submitted to the government and the National Assembly in the first half of 2027.

[Photo=Korea Financial Investment Association]

Also attending the launch ceremony were forum members and representatives of the expert group, including Lee In-hyung, vice president of the Korea Capital Market Institute; Lee Hyo-seop, head of the financial industry office; Moon Seong-hoon, a professor at Hallym University; Seo Jeong-ho, managing attorney at The Wiz; Song Chang-young, managing attorney at Sehan; Oh Young-pyo, managing director at Shinyoung Securities; Yoon Seon-jung, a professor at Dongguk University; and Lee Jong-seop, a professor at Seoul National University.

Hwang said, “In a rapidly changing economic environment, now that we have lifted the shadow of the Korea discount and shifted to a premium, this is the right time to prepare for a quantum jump.” He added, “Through the K-Capital Markets Forum, we plan to move forward step by step, with humility, toward the next 10 years for K-capital markets.”

Kim said, “This forum will play an important role in raising trust in Korea’s capital markets and presenting a future strategy that benefits both investors and market participants.”

* This article has been translated by AI.

RYU SO HYUN sohyun@ajunews.com