Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun-cheol held a Korean Economic Investment Briefing in London, urging global investors to consider opportunities in South Korea, stating that the term "Korea Discount" is now outdated.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy announced on May 19 that the briefing took place at the South Korean Embassy in London on May 18, targeting major global investment institutions.
Attendees included representatives from leading asset management firms such as BlackRock, PIMCO, JP Morgan Asset Management, Fidelity, and UBS, as well as European investment banks like BNP Paribas, Barclays, and Standard Chartered.
During the briefing, Koo emphasized that South Korea possesses world-class manufacturing capabilities in key supply chain areas such as memory semiconductors, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), power semiconductors, and sensors, particularly in the era of AI transformation. He noted that the country is rapidly transitioning to enhance productivity across all industries by integrating AI.
He also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving corporate governance, protecting shareholder interests, and introducing tax incentives for investors, which are part of broader capital market reforms.
Koo pointed out that since the new government took office, the KOSPI index has risen by over 170%, elevating South Korea's stock market capitalization ranking from 13th to 7th globally. He mentioned that approximately $10.9 billion in new funds have flowed into South Korean bonds since their inclusion in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI).
"The Korea Discount is a thing of the past, and the Korea Premium is becoming a new reality," Koo stated, adding, "Now is the golden time for investment in South Korea."
The government plans to strengthen its growth strategy centered on AI and advanced industries, focusing on seven key physical AI sectors, including robotics, automotive, and shipping, as well as 15 ultra-innovative economic projects involving graphene, superconductors, and small modular reactors (SMRs).
Reforms in the foreign exchange and capital markets will continue, with plans to enhance foreign investors' access to the market through measures such as 24-hour foreign exchange market operations, the establishment of an offshore won payment system, and the simplification of account opening and payment procedures.
Attendees described South Korea's economic growth narrative as a "compelling story," noting that the country's status in the global market and capital markets has significantly improved.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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