According to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance on June 24, the "National Growth Fund No. 1" was initiated on June 9 with an initial investment from the National Sports Promotion Fund. An additional investment of approximately 80 billion won from the Trade Insurance Fund was confirmed on June 16, bringing the total investment to over 100 billion won.
The government is establishing the National Growth Fund with a target size of 150 trillion won over five years to foster strategic advanced industries. The pension fund's surplus capital is expected to participate as a private investor in general policy funds.
The fund was designed and launched in collaboration between Samsung Asset Management, the fund's primary manager, and Korea Growth Investment Corp. It will be managed to diversify investments across various growth sectors, including its own sub-funds.
Last year, the "LP First Step Fund" was created as an investment product within the pension fund's investment pool focused on innovative growth sectors. Additionally, smaller funds can participate by jointly managing funds within the pension fund's investment pool, allowing for an expansion of the fundraising scale.
Earlier this year, the Ministry established the "Basic Direction for Fund Asset Management" and "Guidelines for Fund Management Evaluation" to ensure that pension fund resources are directed toward innovative growth sectors. The basic direction aims to contribute to discovering future growth engines for the country through investments in innovative growth areas. The guidelines also increased the investment score for innovative growth sector investments from one point to two points and included the National Growth Fund in the evaluation criteria for "efforts to secure public interest."
On May 29, a financial seminar was held for pension fund and public institution asset management officials to introduce the "National Growth Fund No. 1." The seminar reached a consensus on the need to expand investments in innovative growth sectors and the role of public funds in fostering productive outcomes.
A Ministry official stated, "As we approach a 100 trillion won era in pension fund management, we will collaborate with fund managers to ensure that public funds play a catalytic role in innovative growth, beyond merely enhancing returns. Based on this, we will continuously identify innovative growth investment products suitable for pension funds and public institutions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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