Press Releases - Financial Services Commission

Press Releases

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Jul 06, 2022

Interest Rate Disclosure System to be Improved for Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests

The FSC unveiled a set of measures to make improvements to the interest rate disclosure system in the banking sector on July 6. The measures are aimed at protecting the rights and interests of financial consumers and include the following. a) Making improvements to the disclosure of net interest spread (NIS) comparisons and on the disclosure of lending and deposit rates to make accurate and adequate information about interest rates available to consumers. b) Overhauling the rate calculation system to ensure that rate calculation is conducted in a reasonable and transparent way and bolstering the banking sectors self-inspection and internal control on rate calculation. c) Piloting online deposit products intermediary business, strengthening the requirement to explain personal credit assessment to consumers and having banks to disclose their performance on meeting consumers demand for interest rate reduction in order to promote interest rate competition between banks. Background With the normalization in monetary policy taking place across the globe and the Bank of Koreas base rate increase, rapidly rising market rates have pushed up lending rates and deposit rates in the banking sector. In particular, due to a considerable hike in lending rates to households, banks net interest spread (NIS) for the household sector has expandedand consumers are experiencing added burdens as a result. As there are possibilities of growing financial cost burdens on consumers in times of rate hikes, the authorities plan to seek following measures for improvement to expand interest rate disclosures and ensure rate calculation in a reasonable way. Key Details for Improvement I. Improving Interest Rate Disclosures to Bolster Information Accessibility for Financial Consumers a) Net interest spreads (NIS) of all banks will be disclosed in a comparative format (on the website of Korea Federation of Banks) and the disclosure cycle will be shortened from three months currently to one month. Sin
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Jul 04, 2022

FSC and FSS Decide to Implement Measures to Mitigate Stock Market Volatility

In response to a recent increase in stock market volatility, the financial authorities held a market monitoring meeting on July 1 and decided to take measures to mitigate market volatility. (a) Requirement for securities firms to maintain a certain level of collateral ratio on their credit loans will be exempted for three months starting from July 4, which may be extended if needed. (b) Caps on the amount of daily buy orders for acquisition of treasury stocks by listed companies will be eased for three months starting from July 7, which may be extended if needed. (c) The FSS and KRX will jointly conduct a special inspection on short-selling practices. Financial authorities will continue to monitor financial market conditions, holding a joint market monitoring meeting on a weekly basis, and consider or implement market volatility mitigation measures, if needed, in accordance with contingency plans. Background With the KOSPI falling below 2,300 points during intraday trading on July 1, Koreas stock market has shown continued and increasing volatilityon concerns over rising interest rates, expanding inflation, possibility of a global economic recession, etc. Although increased stock market volatility will be inevitable for a while, given macroeconomic conditions at home and abroad, it is necessary to stay alert about the spread of excessive market anxieties. Measures To Mitigate Stock Market Volatility The FSC and FSS held a joint market monitoring meeting with relevant securities institutionschaired by FSC Vice Chairman Kim So-young to examine financial market conditions after the market closing on July 1, and decided to implement the following measures to mitigate market volatility. (a) For three months from July 4 to September 30, which may be extended if needed, securities firms will be exempted from a requirementto maintain a certain level of collateral ratios on their credit loans in order to ease concerns about a surge in forced liquidation with declining stock
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Jun 09, 2022

Financial Authorities Hold Meeting to Review Risks in Insurance Sector

The FSC held a meeting on June 9 to review risks and discuss response measures in the insurance sector amid increasing volatility in financial environments due to increases in interest rates and the exchange rate.For insurance companies declining levels of risk-based capital (RBC) ratios as a result of steep rate hikes causing an expanded level of losses on valuation of bonds, the authorities have prepared a measure for providing a buffer to release a portion of surplus that insurance companies may recognize as available capital for calculating RBC ratios. Key Risk Factors Response Measures The meeting discussed in depth the risk factors in global financial markets such as interest rate hikes and exchange rate volatility following monetary tightening by major economies amid inflation pressure and prolonging war in Ukraine and dealt with both long- and short-term response measures. I. Prepare Buffer for Declining RBC ratio In response to declining RBC ratios following interest rate hikes, the authorities will recognize inclusion of the LAT(liability adequacy test) surplusinto the available capital for the calculation of RBC ratios.The current RBC system based on the difference between the mark to market valuation of assets and historical cost valuation of liabilities results in a decline in RBC ratios in times of rising interest rates as the new method only incorporates losses on valuation of assets into available capital. However, when applying this measure, reductions in insurance liabilities as a result of interest rate hikes are also incorporated as available capital, thereby providing a buffer to the decline in RBC ratios. Insurers will be able to include (a) 40 percent of the LAT surplus to their available capital (b) within the limit of losses on valuation of bonds available for sale. a) In times of interest rate fall, 40 percent of the LAT surplus reserve,which represent an increase in insurance liabilities, is deducted from the available capital. Considering
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May 11, 2022

FSC Approves Registration of Three P2P Financing Firms and Informs Users to Practice Caution

The FSC approved on May 11 the registration of The Asset Fintech Co., TGS Finance Co. and Ontwoin Co. for the operation of online investment-linked financial businesses (peer-to-peer or P2P financing business) as they satisfied the registration requirements specified under the Act on Online Investment-linked Financial Business and Protection of Users (the Act hereinafter). With the addition of three more entities, there are currently 47 registered P2P financing firms in total. For businesses that have already submitted their applications for registration, the FSC will promptly make decisions on their application review, and for those that have shown a potential of business closure, the authorities will seek measures to prevent damage to users. The FSC also said that users need to practice caution when using P2P financing and should beware of the following factors. First, users should note that there is no guarantee on principal investments and should refrain from investing in businesses that promise excessive rewards or have a record of lending excessive amounts to the same borrower. Second, borrowers need to check whether the interest rate and fee levels are in line with the maximum legal lending rate of 20 percent per annum which had been lowered since July last year. Registration of P2P Financing Business On May 11, three more business entitiesThe Asset Fintech Co., TGS Finance Co., and Ontwoin Co.have registered as P2P lending businesses with the FSC as they met the registration requirements specified under the Act. The registration of P2P lending firms under the Act is expected to help provide an enhanced level of protectionsfor P2P financing users and contribute to the improvement of credibility and sound developmentof the P2P financing industry in the future. Note for User Caution A. For Investors (No Guarantee on Principal Investments) P2P loans are highly risky products and do not guarantee collection of investments. When a borrower defaults on a loan, loss
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Apr 01, 2022

FSC Approves Rules Change to Gradually Introduce Mark-to-Market Valuation on Corporate MMFs

The FSC approved a revision to the regulation on financial investment business at the 6th regular meeting held on March 30 for gradually introducing the mark-to-market valuation method on corporate money market funds (MMFs) and to check relevant preparation and implementation to facilitate a soft-landing of the mark-to-market method in the market. Background The mark-to-market valuation method on corporate MMFs is scheduled to take effect from April 1, 2022, which was introduced through amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (FSCMA) and the regulation on financial investment business in March 2020. Although the mark-to-market valuation method is considered as the rule of the game in principle, prior to the amendments, the book value method was permitted on MMFs as long as the disparate rate in the market-to-book value is within 0.5 percent. However, when disparity in the market-to-book value widens, there is a possibility of causing an abrupt and large-scale redemption as the earlier the investor redeems his/her money, the higher valuation s/he will get on return. As such, the amendments have been introduced to bring about improvements by introducing and implementing the mark-to-market valuation method on corporate MMFs from April 2022. Some of the key changes include (a) making an exemption to allow the book value method on corporate MMFs with more than 30 percent of stable assets as prescribed by the regulation on financial investment business and (b) expanding the duration of corporate MMFs using the mark-to-market valuation method from 75 days previously to 120 days to promote a wider use. However, with a growing potential of rising volatility in short-term money markets recently, there have been calls for a need to introduce the mark-to-market valuation method in a step-by-step manner in order to prevent corporate MMFs from turning into potential risk factors. With the MMFs current preference for the bo
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Feb 23, 2022

FSC Chairman Holds Meeting to Discuss Ways to Improve Deposit Insurance Scheme

FSC Chairman Koh Seungbeom held a meeting with the president of the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC), financial industry group leaders and other market experts on February 23 and discussed ways to make improvements to the deposit insurance system. The following is a summary of Chairman Kohs remarks. Chairmans Remarks (Importance of Deposit Insurance for Financial Stability) The deposit insurance system has been a mainstay of our recovery efforts in times of financial crisis situations. Starting from this year, in order to minimize systemic market disorder that may result from large financial companies turning insolvent, the KDIC is overseeing their resolution plans for approval from the FSC when systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs) are unable to recover on their own.Recently, financial imbalances have become more problematic around the world and there are growing concerns about potential risks turning into a reality. As such, the role of the KDIC is becoming ever more integral in providing financial safety net. Timely detection of market risks, prevention of financial companies going bankrupt and stronger cooperation and coordination with relevant institutions should take place. As systemic risk may find us before we find it, the KDIC should have support measures ready to be prepared for market instability. (Need to Make Improvements to Deposit Insurance System) The deposit insurance system needs to be updated and improved in line with the changes taking place in the financial industry. Rapid growth of the nonbanking sector and the convergence between finance and information technology have led to the emergence of new financial services. The expanded availability of short-term money market instruments, such as repurchase agreement (repo) and asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP), and the emergence of electronic prepaid payment mechanisms may weaken the crisis response function of the traditional deposit insurance institution. In addition, d
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Dec 29, 2021

FSC to Bolster Inclusive Finance Measures and Promote Stronger Support for Credit Recovery

FSC Chairman Koh Seungbeom attended a memorandum of understanding signing event between major credit guarantee institutions on December 29 and delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of providing stronger credit recovery support for small merchants and other vulnerable debtors. The Credit Counseling Recovery Service (CCRS) and five other relevant institutions including Korea Credit Guarantee and Korea Housing Finance Corporation signed an MOU pledging to improve standards for debt adjustment and strengthen support for credit recovery on guaranteed loans. The following is a summary of Chairman Kohs remarks. Chairmans Remarks (Inclusive Finance Measures) The Korean economy has made a quick recovery amid the pandemic even though there are still uncertainties related to the spread of the new variant and asset price volatility. As the economic fallout of the pandemic weighs heavily on the financially vulnerable groups, the need for inclusive finance measures has become ever more important. For individuals with mid-to-low credit backgrounds, the credit market conditions have not deteriorated extensively. However, rising interest rates and the ongoing pandemic raise concerns about the possibility of a narrower access to finance for vulnerable groups. As such, the authorities plan to implement an array of inclusive finance measures to ensure that access to finance is available for vulnerable groups. First, the government will make available up to KRW10 trillion in microloan products for different groups. Second, the government will ensure that lending to lower income earners and other vulnerable individuals will not be impaired by the governments household debt management measures. Third, the authorities will work to provide low interest rate business relief loans to small merchants and self-employed business owners that have seen their earnings decline due to strict social distancing measures amid the pandemic. Along this line, the authorities will also work to root
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Dec 22, 2021

FSC Unveils Work Plan for 2022

The FSC announced its work plan for 2022 which will be focused on maintaining stability in the financial system, promoting advancement of the financial industry, supporting an overall growth of the economy and boosting financial inclusion. In order to achieve these goals, the FSC plans to (a) preemptively manage financial imbalances and work on an orderly exit and normalization from the pandemic-era policy, (b) seek innovation in the regulatory framework to promote digital transformation in the financial industry, (c) provide support for structural changes taking place in the economy and (d) ensure tailored support for vulnerable groups and enhance consumer protections. Key Achievements in 2017-2021 I. Stability in the Financial System The FSC has worked to maintain stability in the financial system by pursuing a consistent policy on household debt management and preemptively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of household debt management, the pace of the household debt growth that has seen acceleration in 2020 has come down to a stable level in the second half of 2021 with improvements also seen in the quality of debt structure. The FSC has established groundwork for stably managing potential debt-related risks in the future. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FSC has made available financial supports through the KRW175 trillion-plus support programs intended to help SMEs and small merchants as well as suppliers in the key industry sectors. II. Broadened Horizon of the Financial Industry The FSC has helped expand the horizon of the financial industry by promoting competition as well as convergence between different sectors. Through regulatory improvements, the FSC has lowered entry barriers for different types of financial companies and fintech firms and promoted innovation and digital transformation in the financial industry by introducing open banking and MyData services as well as an integrated public-sector financial open data platform. III. P
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Dec 06, 2021

FSC Chairman Discusses Key Policy Tasks for 2022 in Virtual Press Briefing

FSC Chairman Koh Seungbeom held an end-of-year press briefing in a virtual format on December 3 to discuss policy outcomes for this year and explain key policy tasks for 2022. At the beginning of his keynote address, Chairman Koh touched upon some of the important policy initiatives and their outcomes for 2021, including policies on household debt management, COVID-19 financial support for small merchants and SMEs, virtual asset service providers, digital transformation in the financial sector and financial consumer protection. Chairman Koh then discussed key policy tasks for 2022 as summarized below. Chairmans Remarks on 2022 Policy Focus The global economy is expected to maintain its recovery momentum in 2022 but market uncertainties are growing due to asset price volatility, rising prices and persistent concerns about inflation. Domestic situations are also concerning. Financial imbalances and potential risks need to be managed while the provision of pandemic-related supports should be maintained. Excessive debt levels should be reduced while assistance for the lower income and vulnerable groups should continue to be available. Ensuring stability in the financial system and pursuing inclusive financial policies may be contradictory in nature but seeking a proper balance between the two is the task of the financial authority. In this regard, the FSC will focus on the following three policy areas. First, the authorities will continue to work on tackling financial imbalances. Unlike some of the other major economies where debt levels have increased much more in the public sector, Korea has seen debt levels grow much faster in the household and corporate sectors. The household debt management plan for 2022 will be focused on managing the total amount of debt extended with a longer term plan for gradually introducing a more systematic management plan. With the application of the individual borrower-level debt service ratios (DSRs), stable management of household debt
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Nov 03, 2021

FSC Chairman Emphasizes Consumer Protection and Discusses Role of Insurance Business

FSC Chairman Koh Seungbeom held a meeting with the heads of insurance companies and relevant officials on November 3 and discussed the role of insurance business and importance of consumer protection. Chairmans Remarks Rapid changes taking place in the structure of demographics, rising interest rates, digital transformation and spread of platform businesses are demanding innovation from the insurance industry. In order to build a foundation for the future of the industry, it is necessary to look at the scope of insurance coverages, the sales and payout process and so on. To help promote further development of the insurance industry, the authorities provide support in the following areas. First, the authorities will provide active support for insurance companies to help strengthen the function private-sector safety net in response to demographic change. The authorities will set up a public-private joint consultative body to formulate measures for improving the indemnity health insurance system. To preemptively respond to newly emerging risks, such as the spread of infectious disease, the government will enhance inter-agency coordination to promote insurance on transmissible diseases. In addition, the authorities will look into ways to strengthen the role of pension insurance to address rapid demographic changes. Second, the government will support diversification of insurance business and their organizational models to help insurers better cope with the changing environment. Specific measures will be prepared to ease the current licensing rules to reflect diversification of consumer needs and insurance products. While continuing to work on introducing small-sum and short-term insurance products, the authorities will allow insurers to assume other related business areas that are deemed to be essential for operating new business, such as a platform-based health care-related service offering. Third, the government will support digital innovation of insurance business to
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Nov 01, 2021

FSC and FSS Launch Taskforce to Closely Monitor Household Debt Management Measures

The FSC and the FSS launched a taskforce on household debt management and held a kick-off meeting on November 1. The taskforce has been set up as part of the efforts to strengthen control over a recent increase in household debt levels. The kick-off meeting was attended by officials from credit guarantee institutions, industry groups and Korea Credit Information Services where participants discussed an overall implementation plan for the recently announced supplemental measures on household debt management. At the meeting, the authorities pledged to closely follow progress in the implementation of the recently announced household debt management measures and to work for the management of household debt growth at a stable level at 4 to 5 percent next year. With regard to collective lending for prospective homeowners (new apartment buyers) who need to take out loans to make balance payments in the fourth quarter of 2021, the authorities will maintain direct communication lines with individual lending institutions to ensure the availability of loans and help prevent credit shortages. The taskforce will seek to find additional measures needed to more effectively manage household debt-related risks by closely examining trends in other developed economies to help promote more responsible lending practices. The taskforce will hold meetings once every one to two weeks to closely follow the implementation of measures while continuing to seek ways for improvement. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Oct 26, 2021

Government Unveils Additional Measures for Household Debt Management

The government announced additional measures to strengthen household debt management at the 47th Meeting of Central Economic Response Headquarters held on October 26. The measures are aimed at preemptively managing household debt-related risks and resolving financial imbalances while ensuring the availability of loans to individuals in actual need. Some of the key measures include improving the effectiveness of DSR rules applied on individual borrowers, strengthening targeted management in the nonbank sector and promoting more installment payments on both housing and personal credit-based loans. These are supplementary measures to the initial household debt management plan announced on April 29, 2021. Background (Recent Trends) The household debt growth has shown a downward trend in recent years after reaching an 11.6 percent growth in 2016. However, it has spiked up again in 2020 due to the pandemic-related policies and rise in asset prices.For this year, the government had previously set the goal of containing the growth of household debt to five to six percent as it sought to control debt levels while continuing to make financing available for first time homebuyers, renters, etc. Along this line, the government introduced the measures to curb credit-based loansand expand the application of the debt service ratio (DSR) rules on individual borrowers in April this year. At the same time, the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio has been eased with the support for rent deposit (including jeonse) made available for young adults, newly married couples, etc. However, household debt levels spiked in the first half of this year due to instability in the housing market and resurgence in the coronavirus infection cases. The growth in credit loans and personal mortgages that led the surge in total debt levels at the end of 2020 stabilized. But loans for rent deposits, collective lending and government-backed housing mortgages all continued to rise with a spillover effect into the nonba
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Oct 07, 2021

Financial Authorities to Closely Monitor Market Situations and Manage Risk Factors

FSC Chairman Koh Seungbeom held a meeting on October 7 to review market situations and risk factors surrounding the recent volatility in financial markets. At the meeting, Chairman Koh said that the recent volatility in stock markets is largely attributable to external factors, such as global inflation, the tapering moves and debt ceiling negotiations in the U.S. and Chinas power shortages and Evergrande debt crisis. As market volatility is expected to continue for some time, Chairman Koh urged the authorities to stay vigilant and closely monitor market situations. Chairman Koh added that excessive anxiety is not desirable given strong exports and macroeconomic conditions. While maintaining close cooperation with relevant institutions, the authorities will closely monitor investment activities and market situations to appropriately respond to rising volatility and help prevent the spread of market anxiety. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Sep 23, 2021

FSC to Continue to Work on Improving Retail Investors' Access to Stock Short Selling

The FSC announced the latest trends in retail investors short selling activities as stock short selling became available for KOSPI 200 and KOSDAQ 150 from May 3 this year. Key Details (Short Selling Activities) Between May 3 and September 17 this year, the daily average short selling volume dropped about 12 percent compared to the period between January 2 and March 13 in the previous year.Given a large increase in the overall volume of stock market transactions, the proportion of short selling in relation to the total trading amount remains about a half the previous level. The short selling transaction volume by foreigners and retail investors increased while that by institutional investors declined. The daily average short selling volume by foreigners rose about 21 percent compared to the previous year, but the proportion of short selling vis--vis the total trading amount by foreigners dropped.The daily average short selling volume by institutional investors fell by more than a half from KRW286.0 billion to KRW126.4 billion as the revised rules on market makers began to take effect from April this year. (Trends of Retail Investors) Since the partial resumption of short selling began in May, the daily average short selling volume by retail investors stands at about KRW11.0 billion, which is an increase of about 41 percent compared to the previous year. The weight of retail investors in the total short selling volume rose to 1.9 percent in 2021 from 1.2 percent in the previous year. The top ten stock items that were mostly targeted by retail investors for short selling appeared to be similar to those targeted by overall short sellers including foreigners and institutions. The authorities found no meaningful correlation between the amount of short selling and individual share prices. Nor was there any meaningful relationship between the proportion of short selling and the performance of stock prices in the market. As of September 2021, the number of securities firms o
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Jun 15, 2021

Multiple Subscriptions Restricted for IPO Shares

The government approved the revisions to the Enforcement Decree of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act during a cabinet meeting held on June 15. The revisions (a) restrict retail investors from applying for multiple subscriptions for IPO shares, (b) increase the annual cap for issuing securities via crowdfunding and (c) introduce specific rules for financial investment companies credit extension to overseas branches. The revisions will go into effect from June 30, 2021, except for the provision on the restriction of multiple IPO subscriptions, which will begin to apply for securities reports being filed after June 20, 2021. (Restricting Multiple Subscriptions for IPO Shares) With the introduction of a more equitable share allocation method in last December, retail investors are given more opportunities for IPO share subscription. However, in IPOs with multiple lead managers, multiple subscriptions were made possible as retail investors could open up accounts at multiple brokerage firms and apply at each brokerage firm. This resulted in inconvenience for investors and heavy workload for brokers. As such, multiple subscriptions for IPO shares will be banned for retail investors. Brokerage firms will be required to check whether investors have applied for share subscriptions at other brokerage firms. Even when an investor applies for multiple subscriptions, share allocation will be made only on the first subscription. (Follow-up Measures to Promote Crowdfunding) The annual cap for issuing securities through crowdfunding will be increased from KRW1.5 billion to KRW3 billion. The authorities will strengthen supervision over the financial soundness of crowdfunding platforms by checking their capital requirement more frequently from once a year to once every month and shortening the grace period before withdrawal from one year to six months. (Financial Investment Companies Overseas Operation) Financial investment companies can extend credit to oversea
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Jun 03, 2021

FSC Announces Analysis on Stock Markets with Partial Resumption of Short Selling

With the partial resumption of short selling being in place for about a month, the FSC announced an analysis on stock market trends for the period of May 3 to June 2. During this period, stock prices moved in a similar pattern as global stock markets while domestic stock prices showed relatively stable movements compared to other markets. Although the average daily amount of short selling transactions rose somewhat, it appears that there exists no significant relationship between short selling and stock prices for the given period. The FSC and other relevant institutions will continue to closely monitor market trends while working to bring about transparency and fairness in the markets. Stock Market Trends As of June 2, KOSPI and KOSDAQs closing prices were up 2.4 percent and down 0.2 percent, respectively, compared to April 30, the last trading day before the partial resumption of short selling began. In May, global stock prices showed mixed trends with the possibility of tapering by the Fed amid price increases in the U.S. Asian stock markets moved in the same direction as global stocks while domestic stock markets showed relatively stable trends as corporate earnings improved and retail investors remained net buyers. In May, foreigners net sold KRW9 trillion but turned to net buying in the last week of the month. Due to concerns about a monetary tightening from the U.S., other Asian markets also experienced foreign outflows. Short Selling Trends During the one-month period from May 3 to June 2, the average daily amount of short selling transactions increased somewhat to KRW688.2 billion. However, considering the fact that the total transaction amount increased more than twice the level seen before the partial resumption of short selling began, the growth is not that considerable.Also, as the built-up demand for short selling begins to fade out, the growth in the amount of short selling transactions also shows a downward trend toward stability. During the one-mont
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May 29, 2021

FSC Chairman Delivers Opening Remarks at the Green Finance Special Session of P4G Seoul Summit

FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo delivered opening remarks at the special session on green finance held on May 29. Please see below for the full text of the speech. I. Introduction Good evening, everyone. Good afternoon, Europe. Good morning, America. Welcome to the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit Special Session on Green Finance. The world is still in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. Covid-19 is not an individuals problem, nor a regions or a countrys problem. It is the whole humanitys problem. Likewise, climate change is everyones problem. In this regard, P4G puts emphasis on the value of partnerships across all sectors. I hope P4G Seoul Summit can induce everyone to take part in climate action. II. Why Green Finance? Achieving carbon neutrality involves a fundamental restructuring of industry. This might require trillions of dollars across the world. Many countries including Korea, have announced large-scale fiscal stimulus under Green New Deal schemes. However, public finance alone cannot cover the scale of investment we need. MDBs and private sector investors need to get involved as well. In a different angle, the financial industry can induce companies to lessen their environmental impact by altering the lending or investing criteria. For example, BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, evaluates a companys ESG performance when making an investment decision. III. Progress of Green Finance Green finance has been rapidly taking root in the global financial market over the past years. By the end of 2020, around 3,000 institutional investors have joined the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. Globally, ESG fund assets are nearing $2 trillion. Also, quarterly issuance of green bonds has risen to $150 billion. South Korea is also actively stepping up efforts to promote green finance. Last year, the government pledged to double the share of funding for green projects in public financial institutions by 2030. We are also planning to gradually make ESG data disclosures manda
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May 25, 2021

Government Approves Revised Rules to Introduce Small-sum & Short-term Insurance

The government approved the revisions to the Enforcement Decree of the Insurance Business Act at a cabinet meeting on May 25, aiming to introduce a small-sum, short-term specialized insurance business with a variety of insurance coverage such as pet, leisure and travel insurance. Key Revisions (Small-sum Short-term Insurance Business) The minimum capital requirement for a small-sum, short-term specialized insurance business will be set at KRW2 billion. They are allowed to provide various types of insurance coverage e.g. pet insurance, leisure travel insurance, weather insurance, etc with a one-year renewable term and premiums of up to KRW50 million. The insurers annual gross premium revenue will be capped at KRW50 billion. (Scope of Insurers Subsidiaries) To promote digital transition in the insurance sector, the revision permits insurers to own more than a 15% stake in a healthcare or MyData service provider as subsidiaries. (Access to Administrative Information) Currently, insurance policy holders are required to submit required administrative documents such as a copy of residence registration, family relation certificate, drivers license, etc, to insurers. To ease such a burden, the revision will allow insures to access to administrative information upon policy holders consent. (External Evaluation of Policy Reserves) Insurance businesses with total assets of KRW1 trillion or more will be required to have external actuaries approve the appropriateness of their policy reserve. Schedule The revisions will take effect from June 9, 2021. The FSC will complete revisions to subordinate rules including the Regulation on Supervision of Insurance Business in accordance with the revised Enforcement Decree. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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May 24, 2021

Financial Authorities and Relevant Institutions Declare Support for TCFD and Its Recommendations

The FSC along with thirteen other relevant institutions announced their official declaration of support for the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure and its recommendations on May 24. The declaration was followed by the green finance consultative bodys kick-off meeting chaired by Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang. Vice Chairmans Remarks Last year, the average temperature in Europe and Asia reached a record high in 111 years according to the Global Climate Report 2020 by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Considering ripple effects of climate change on the stability of financial systems, the financial sector should preemptively take a responsible role in global issues such as the climate change. Recently, the EU has introduced green taxonomy which provides standards on support for green industries. The Biden administration in the U.S. has strengthened its climate leadership by rejoining the Paris Agreement and holding a Leaders Summit on Climate. The Korean government, too, declared the 2050 carbon net zero goals and enhanced its carbon reduction objectives while suspending state-backed financial institutions financing of overseas coal plants. With the K-New Deal initiative, the government has been expanding investments in green sectors as well. (Support for TCFD and its significance) The financial authorities plan to boost cooperation with the international society to more actively respond to climate change. Last week, the FSC and FSS applied for membership to the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System. Today, the FSC and thirteen relevant institutions are here to announce official declaration support for the TCFD. The TCFD is a global consultative body created to promote climate-related financial disclosures. In 2017, the TCFD introduced its recommendations and more than 2,000 institutions from 78 countries across the globe have shown support for the TCFD and its recommendations. In Korea, a total of
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May 24, 2021

FSC Holds Policy Workshop to Discuss Progress of Policy Implementation and Tasks Ahead

The FSC held a policy workshop on the progress of financial policy implementation of the Moon Jae-in administration at its fifth year on May 20, discussing some of the key policy achievements made in the past four years as well as the remaining tasks. The policy workshop was attended by all FSC employees and key members of the financial development review committee. Policy Achievements I. Preemptive crisis response helped to ease uncertainties and ensure stability a) Prompt implementation of COVID-19 response measures helped to prevent a spread of financial crisis. - The KRW175 trillion-plus COVID-19 financial support programs introduced, which include (i) stronger lending support for SMEs and small merchants hit by COVID-19, (ii) emergency liquidity support for businesses facing temporary liquidity shortages and (iii) the bond market and stock market stabilization funds. b) The growth of household debt has been stably managed. - Mortgage rules tightened to curb speculative demand in the housing market (Aug. 2, 2017) - Stronger mortgage rules applied on multiple homeowners to cool down speculative demand (Sep. 14, 2018) - Prohibition of mortgage loans introduced on homes valued over KRW1.5 billion in speculative areas (Dec. 16, 2019) - Gradual application of DSR rules introduced on individual borrowers (Apr. 29, 2021) c) Continuous efforts have been made on corporate restructuring - Corporate restructuring fund created in the amount of about KRW3.2 trillion between August 2018 and April 2021, which made investments of about KRW1.8 trillion so far - Pursued restructuring of maritime shipping and airline industries II. Encouraged a shift in flow of funds towards productive sectors through financial innovation and supply of venture capital a) Expanded the supply of funds to innovative sectors by making improvements to the corporate credit evaluation system and the capital market rules - Corporate credit rating system changed to take into account the future growth poten
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