FSC works to ensure that finance plays a key role in developing innovative businesses and supporting the real economy, thereby fueling Korea’s more vibrant economic growth. Promoting advanced financial industry, stable financial markets, fair market order and reliable consumer protection are among FSC’s key policy agenda. Digital transformation and big data are increasingly playing larger roles in various aspects of financial services. In the era of 4th industrial revolution and digital economy, finance will help boost growth potential and create jobs as the government seeks to advance its Digital New Deal policy.
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Nov 28, 2024
- Licensing Criteria for New Internet-only Bank to Focus on Sustainability Based on Innovativeness and Inclusiveness
- The Financial Services Commission adopted the licensing criteria and procedure for authorizing a new internet-only bank at the 20th regular meeting of the FSC held on November 27, 2024. Previously on July 5, 2023, the government introduced a plan to grant new licenses to more nationwide commercial banks, regional banks, and internet-only banks to promote competition in the banking industry. With regard to the criteria and procedure for licensing new internet-only banks, the government said that it plans to consider the performance and stability of the operation of the three existing internet-only banks along with the statutory requirements prescribed under the current law. Since then, the government carried out an examination on the performance and effects of introducing internet-only banks and looked into areas where improvements are necessary. Meanwhile, a separate study was conducted on the competitiveness of financial companies SME and personal credit loan business operations to assess the areas where enhanced competition and increased supply of funds are needed. Based on the findings from these studies, the FSC and the FSS (Financial Supervisory Service) adopted the licensing criteria and procedure for authorizing a new internet-only bank as follows. The new licensing criteria will maintain the previously adopted licensing standards for internet-only banks, which include (a) the licensing criteria specified in the Banking Act and (b) the innovativeness and inclusiveness of applicants business plan. However, the key direction of application review and evaluation criteria will take into account the findings from the aforementioned studies. In this regard, the evaluation of application will focus on (a) the stability in raising capital, along with (b) the innovativeness and (c) inclusiveness, and (d) the feasibility of business plan. First, regarding the stability in raising capital, the evaluation committee will thoroughly look into whether the applicant has a su
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Aug 27, 2024
- 2024 Korea Fintech Week Kicks Off on August 27
- 2024 Korea Fintech Week kicks off on August 27 with major fintech businesses, financial companies, related organizations, academic institutions, and foreign governments and organizations at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul. The expo will be held for three days between August 27 to 29 under the theme of Beyond Boundaries: Fintech and AI Redefining Finance, providing opportunities to lure investment and share updates on the newest fintech and AI technologies and trends. 85 exhibition booths and 109 businesses and associations will participate to promote innovative technologies and attract investments Chairman Kim Byoung Hwan of the Financial Services Commission delivered welcoming remarks in which he emphasized the importance of AI as a game changer for industries and society, and how we harness AI will determine the competitiveness of individuals and companies in the future. Chairman Kim vowed to support the finance industry so that it could play a leading role in propelling Korea into the top three nations in AI sector. Chairman Kim outlined four key directions for digital finance policies aimed at facilitating fintech and the digital transformation (DX) of the financial sector. First, he emphasized the need to revisit financial regulations established in the analog era to accelerate the digital transformation of finance. This will involve rationalizing entry and conduct regulations for financial companies, as well as standards for information processing, such as cloud usage. Second, Chairman Kim highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between fintech companies and financial companies. To this end, the regulations on financial institutions investments in fintech businesses will be re-evaluated, and discussions will begin on reforming the regulatory framework governing outsourcing agreements, as well as improving the electronic financial systems, to allow the emergence of diverse business models in the era of big blur. Third, Chairman Kim anno
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Jun 21, 2024
- Market Access Improved for Foreign Investors with Abolishment of Investment Registration Certificates
- The Financial Services Commission announced that foreign investors access to Korean capital market has been improved with the abolishment of foreign investors prior registration requirement from December 14, 2023. As it has been repeatedly pointed out in the past that this prior registration requirement was standing in the way of foreign investors access to Korean capital market, the FSC decided to abolish the registration requirement (IRC: Investment Registration Certificate)which had been in place for about 30 years since 1992through a revision of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (FSCMA) in December last year. As a result, without first having to register with the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), foreign investors are now able to use either legal entity identifiers (LEIs, for corporate investors) or passport numbers (for individual investors) to open their investment accounts at financial companies and make investments in domestically listed securities. After monitoring the trend in new account opening, the authorities found that during the six-month period after the abolishment of the prior registration requirement (between December 15, 2023 and June 12, 2024), there were 1,432 new investment accounts opened by foreign investors using either LEIs or passports. Among them, there were 1,216 corporate entities and 216 individual investors with new accounts opened at 36 securities firms and banks. In particular, from March this year, the number of new account opening by foreigners has grown to about 300 to 400 every month. Considering that the average monthly IRC issuance was 105 in the year of 2023, the abolishment of the prior registration requirement appears to be contributing to the enhancement of market access for foreign investors. In this regard, FSC Vice Chairman Kim Soyoung stated that the abolishment of the prior registration requirement has made it more convenient for foreign investors to open an account, and so consequently, t
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May 16, 2024
- FSC Chairman Holds Meeting on Promoting Investment for Startups and Venture Businesses
- Chairman Kim Joo-hyun of the Financial Services Commission held a meeting on promoting investment for startups and venture businesses on May 16. At the meeting, participants went over the progress of policy measures implemented since April last year, which were intended to boost funding support for innovative startups and venture businesses and bolster their competitiveness amid the investment crunch experienced by startup businesses. Backed by the active role of policy funds, experts at the meeting assessed that the investment situation shows signs of recovery and that the situation in domestic market appears to be faring better than those seen in overseas markets. A group of businesses that have benefited from particular policy measures also attended the meeting to share their experiences in (a) expanding business operation through MA, (b) taking advantage of the program intended to assist businesses operating outside the Seoul metropolitan area, and (c) going overseas or attracting investment from overseas. These businesses requested that these policy support measures made available on an ongoing and expanded basis. After reviewing the status of funding support made available for startups and venture businesses by Korea Development Bank, Industrial Bank of Korea, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, and Korea Growth Investment Corporation, Chairman Kim outlined plans for this years startup and venture investment support. First, a total of KRW15.4 trillion in policy funds will be supplied, an increase of about 30 percent from the previous year, to ensure the provision of seamless funding support for up-and-coming startups equipped with technological prowess. Through IBKs venture investment program, some KRW500 billion or more in funding support will be provided to early-state startups. In addition, KDB-IBKs secondary fund worth KRW1.2 trillion has already begun with its investment projects in May this year to facilitate functions and improve conditions in the secondary ma
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May 09, 2024
- Authorities Introduce ATS Operation Plan to Promote Improvement in Capital Market Infrastructure
- The Financial Services Commission announced that Koreas first alternative trading system (ATS), Nextrade, will begin to operate in domestic market starting in the first half of next year. This will mark the operation of a multiple and competition-based stock trading system in Koreas capital market as in the case with those found in major overseas economies. Introducing an ATS has been a key part of the governments capital market reform initiative, and it is intended to make domestic capital market more accessible for investors with enhanced convenience for transactions. With the operation of an ATS, stock trading hours will be extended to twelve hours a day from 08:00 am to 08:00 pm. Also, as more order types will become available for investors with enhanced competition to help lower fees, transaction costs will be reduced and trading convenience improved for investors. Seminar on ATS Operation Plan The FSC held a seminar on the measures for operating ATS with the Korea Financial Investment Association, Korea Exchange (KRX), and Nextrade on May 9. As the preliminary approval for operating an ATS was granted to Nextrade in July 2023, the FSC and related organizations have since worked on the measures for ATS operation and plans for ensuring effective market oversight in a comprehensive and integrated manner. At todays seminar, the authorities unveiled the measures and held discussions with market participants. FSC Vice Chairman Kim Soyoung delivered congratulatory remarks at the beginning of the seminar and emphasized the importance of ensuring stability and fairness in market management. Vice Chairman Kim also asked participants to thoroughly prepare for the official launch of an ATS and to ensure that investors are kept posted with relevant information. In addition, Vice Chairman Kim said that the financial authorities will work to prepare guidelines and revise relevant rules and regulations necessary for the operation of an ATS. A New Stock Trading Experience With
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May 02, 2024
- Guidelines on Corporate Value-up Plan Unveiled to Support Listed Companies' Voluntary Efforts to Boost Corporate Value
- The Financial Services Commission (FSC), the Korea Exchange (KRX), Korea Capital Market Institute (KCMI) and relevant organizations held the second seminar on the Corporate Value-up Support Plan on Thursday, May 2. At todays seminar, the draft Guidelines for Corporate Value-up Plan, one of key pillars of the Corporate Value-up Program, was unveiled to gather opinions from various stakeholders. Congratulatory Remarks by FSC Vice Chairman FSC Vice Chairman Soyoung Kim delivered congratulatory remarks reaffirming the governments strong will towards capital market reforms. In addition to regulatory reform initiativesin our capital markets that the government has made over the past two years, listed companies value enhancement efforts will help Koreas stock market tackle Korea discount and rise steadily over mid-to long-term, Vice Chairman said. Regarding the draft Guidelines on Corporate Value-up Plan unveiled today, Vice Chairman emphasized the importance of such plans, saying that corporate value-up plans will enable listed companies to communicate with shareholders and market participants about a comprehensive picture over the companies future, and allow investors to better understand companies in which they are going to invest in and make well-informed decision, thereby listed companies will be able to get proper market valuation for their true intrinsic value or expected value. He added that the corporate value-up program shall be deemed as a long-term initiative. In this regard, the guidelines unveiled today are not the end, but the beginning of our long-term plan, Vice Chairman said. Various incentives and support measures including guidelines, consulting, training, etc, will be provided to encourage active participation of listed companies, and then investors will properly evaluate companies value enhancement efforts and reflect them into their investment decision. The government and relevant organizations will continue to support companies corporate value-up ef
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Apr 30, 2024
- FSC to Promote Investment in Climate Technology Sector
- Chairman Kim Joo-hyun of the Financial Services Commission attended the technology fund agreement ceremony on April 30. This agreement ceremony is a second follow-up measure for expanded financial support measures for climate crisis response after its first follow-up measure the ceremony for the establishment of the Future Energy Fund, which supplies venture capital for the expansion of renewable energy facilities, including offshore wind power. The FSC plans to invest a total amount of KRW9 trillion in the climate technology sector through its various funds like Innovation Growth Fund and Growth Ladder Fund. Among those funds stands the Climate Technology Fund, which Industrial Bank of Korea and five major commercial banks are to commit a total of KRW1.05 trillion into its master fund by 2023, and invest KRW3 trillion in climate technology companies through private capital matching. The master fund is managed by Korea Growth Finance. Chairman Kim stated, Climate technology is both a means to achieve carbon neutrality and a future source of sustenance."He added, "The government and private sector together have come up with the plan for investing a total of KRW9 trillion in the climate technology sector by sector by 2030, including the Climate Technology Fund." Chairman Kim also emphasized that the Climate Technology Fund will be mandated to put a certain ratio of its investments into SMEs and venture companies possessing climate technology to ensure that funds are appropriately allocated. He also urged the Climate Technology Fund to actively seek out investment opportunities and serve as patient capital to support the growth of the climate technology sector, which faces significant uncertainties and challenges in achieving short-term results. The Climate Technology Fund plans to establish the master fund during the first half of the year, select the managers for the feeder funds, and complete the formation of these funds by early next year to commence investment. *
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Apr 02, 2024
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Mar 14, 2024
- FSC Meets with Institutional Investors to Promote Active Participation in the Corporate Value-up Program
- The Financial Services Commission held a meeting with institutional investors on the Corporate Value-up Program chaired by FSC Vice Chairman Kim Soyoung on March 14. The meeting was attended by ten major institutional investors, including pension funds, asset managers, insurers, and securities firms, as well as officials from related organizations, such as the Korea Exchange, Financial Supervisory Service, Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability, and Korea Capital Market Institute. At the meeting, officials held discussions on how the stewardship code for institutional investors will be updated to promote their role in the Corporate Value-up Program and developing a new Korea value-up index. At the beginning of the meeting, Vice Chairman Kim delivered opening remarks, highlighting the three main principles behind the governments continuous push to end Korea discount(a) establishing a fair and transparent market order, (b) making Koreas capital market more accessible, and (c) promoting shareholder values in corporate management. In this regard, Vice Chairman Kim said that the Corporate Value-up Program is a part of the governments consistent efforts to upgrade our capital market with a focus on encouraging listed companies to make voluntary steps to make improvements and increase valuations. Since the stewardship code for institutional investors has been updated to specifically underscore their crucial role in the Corporate Value-up Program, Vice Chairman Kim urged institutional investors to more actively communicate with companies about the need and benefit of taking self-driven measures to boost corporate values. Regarding the development of a new Korea value-up index, Vice Chairman Kim said that authorities have been studying various cases from overseas and running simulations to ensure that the newly created benchmark index can be put to greater use by institutional investors. The stewardship code for institutional investors contains seven spec
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Feb 26, 2024
- Active Support to be Provided to Promote Voluntary Efforts of Listed Companies in Enhancing Their Value
- The Financial Services Commission held the first seminar on the Corporate Value-up Program for the advancement of the Korean stock market together with the Korea Exchange, other related institutions, and industry groups on February 26. At todays seminar, key details of the Corporate Value-up Program, which have been jointly prepared by related institutions, were introduced to facilitate discussions and collect opinions from various stakeholders. FSC Chairman Kim Joo-hyun delivered opening remarks outlining the governments reform initiatives to bring about fundamental changes in our capital markets. They include (a) establishing a fair and transparent market order, (b) improving accessibility to capital markets, and (c) strengthening protection for general shareholders. To build up a positive feedback loop in our capital markets where listed companies are able to get proper valuation for sound growth and investors are able to share the profit of that growth and reinvest in the Korean capital market, the government needs to support companies voluntary efforts to raise their value, the Chairman said. He added that the Corporate Value-up Program will be implemented continuously as a mid- to long-term project to support companies value enhancement efforts and promote management practices that place a priority on shareholder value. Key details of the Corporate Value-up Program are as follows. In order to actively support listed companies self-driven efforts to improve their corporate value, the government and relevant organizations set out a framework to implement the Corporate Value-up Program. The framework consists of three pillars: (a) supporting listed companies to prepare, implement and communicate their corporate value-up plans, (b) supporting investors in making informed evaluations and investments in companies that demonstrate outstanding improvements or high value, and (c) establishing a dedicated system to support the implementation of the Corporate Value-up Pr
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Feb 15, 2024
- Government Unveils KRW76 Trillion Worth Corporate Financing Support Plans in Private-Public Joint Initiative
- Chairman Kim Joo-hyun of the Financial Services Commission presided over a meeting with the heads of five major commercial banks and policy financial institutions on February 15 and announced the governments plans to provide tailored funding support for enterprises. The FSC has held a series of meetings with businesses to listen to their challenges and difficulties in financing business operations. To make sure that the prepared measures can actually serve the needs of businesses, the FSC has actively collaborated with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The support measures being introduced today are also an outcome of active participation and contribution from policy financial institutions as well as from major commercial banks. In his opening remarks, FSC Chairman Kim Joo-hyun said that the future of Korean economy depends on the competitiveness of our enterprises, and that to boost our industrial competitiveness through new initiatives to ensure a continuous growth amid uncertain business environment, it is essential to have finance play an active role. In this regard, Chairman Kim stressed that it is necessary to have (a) a large-scale investment support for high-tech industries, (b) a targeted investment support for middle market enterprises, and (c) assistance programs made available for businesses undergoing challenging situations due high interest rates and so on. The corporate financing support plans being unveiled today consist of the following three key measures. First, authorities have prepared strategic financing support plans worth KRW26 trillion-plus for high-tech enterprises. A supply chain stabilization fund will be created to help businesses seeking to diversify imports, develop alternative technologies, and secure raw materials from overseas. The Korea Development Bank (KDB) will provide KRW15 trillion in financing support to the five major strategic sectorssuch as
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Feb 07, 2024
- Financial Development Review Committee Meets to Discuss Financial Policy Agenda for 2024
- The Financial Services Commission held this years first financial development review committee meeting on February 7. At todays meeting, seven new members were appointed to the committee, and the authorities discussed key financial policy plans for 2024. Under the vision of a caring and reliable finance, standing by the people, the FSC presented three key policy objectives for this year(a) a credible finance, safeguarding peoples livelihood, (b) a robust finance, capable of withstanding risks, and (c) a dynamic finance, propelling growth into the future. The FSC plans to carry out detailed policy initiatives in nine specific areas to achieve these goals. At the beginning of the meeting, FSC Chairman Kim Joo-hyun said that while successfully dealing with various issues to ensure stability in financial markets, this year, the FSC will particularly focus on boosting the value of our capital markets by introducing a corporate value-up program and making efforts to ensure maintenance of strict market discipline. At the same time, Chairman Kim also pointed out that it is important to seek measures to actively prepare for impending changes in the future. As many experts have suggested, shifting demographic structures, climate change and advancement in technologies are expected to have far-reaching impacts on financial markets. In this regard, Chairman Kim stressed that how we respond in taking up these new challenges will shape the future of our economy. To effectively deal with these challenges, Chairman Kim said that authorities will set up and operate taskforces on demographic, climate and technology issues to more accurately analyze and prepare response strategies. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Jan 17, 2024
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Dec 18, 2023
- Provision of Corporate Disclosures in English from 2024 to Enhance Information Access for Foreign Investors
- The Financial Services Commission announced that from January 1, 2024, large KOSPI-listed companies will begin to provide English disclosures on material information within three business days from filing disclosures in Korean with the KRX. This is the first phase of the mandatory English disclosure requirement being implemented as part of the comprehensive measures to improve foreign investors access to Korean capital markets announced in January this year. According to this plan, English disclosures on material information will become mandatory for KOSPI-listed companies in two phases (1st phase from 2024 to 2025 and 2nd phase expected from after 2026) starting with large listed firms. A variety of support programs to promote an expansion of English disclosures will also be made available. From 2024, KOSPI-listed companies with assets worth KRW10 trillion or more will be required to submit English disclosures on (a) matters related to closing financial statement, (b) matters concerning important decision-making and (c) matters pertaining to suspension of trading within three days from filing their regulatory disclosures in Korean. In the meantime, the authorities plan to continue to implement various support measures to facilitate businesses to more easily adjust to the mandatory English disclosure requirement. In this regard, special benefits, such as an exemption of listing fee, will be granted to those selected for outstanding English disclosures, and the availability of translation service offered by professional translation service providers will be expanded, while the authorities strengthen training courses on English disclosures. In addition, the authorities plan to work on making improvements to English disclosure platforms (KRXs KIND English website and FSSs DART English website) by expanding the automated machine translation service, providing English search function for Korean statutory disclosures, and enhancing translation quality using AI-based machi
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Dec 13, 2023
- Investing in Domestic Capital Markets Made Easier for Foreign Investors
- The Financial Services Commission announced that a set of measures intended to enhance foreign investors access to domestic capital markets will take effect from December 14, 2023. The measures include the abolishment of foreign investors prior registration requirement, the easing of reporting duty for foreign securities firms in their use of omnibus account, and the expanded scope of foreign investors OTC transactions eligible for ex post reporting. Meanwhile, the mandatory English disclosure rule for listed companies will phase in from January 1, 2024. First, the foreign investor registration system, which mandated foreign investors to register with the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) prior to making investment in domestic stock markets, will be abolished. As the revised Enforcement Decree of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (FSCMA) takes effect from tomorrow (December 14), foreign investors are able to open investment accounts in domestic capital markets either with a legal entity identifier (LEI, for corporate investors) or a passport number (for individual investors) without going through a prior registration process. Those that have already been assigned a foreign investor registration number can still use their identifier so as to help to minimize causing unnecessary inconvenience. Second, the use of omnibus account for foreign securities firms will be made more convenient. Although the omnibus account system has been available since 2017, it has never been utilized by foreign securities firms due to the heavy burden of reporting rule, which required them to instantly report each end-investors completed transactions at the moment of settlement (T+2). Starting from tomorrow, their reporting cycle will be eased to once every month. Under the revised rules on financial investment businesses, foreign securities firms will be required to reportas of the last day of every montheach end-investors transaction details to an omnibus account
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Aug 17, 2023
- FSC Vice Chairman Holds Media Briefing on the Progress and Achievements of Capital Market Reform Agendas
- Vice Chairman Kim So-young of the Financial Services Commission held a media briefing on the progress and achievements of the governments capital market reform agendas on August 17. The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Kims remarks. I. Key Achievements This administration has been actively pursuing capital market reforms as a key part of the governments policy priority. In particular, the government has taken bold steps to resolve the problem of the so-called Korea discount by enhancing investor protections, removing outdated regulations and overhauling rules to foster innovation in the market. Despite the presence of difficult economic and financial conditions, there have been some favorable outcomes achieved thank to active cooperation between relevant institutions and industries. Restoring Investor Trust First, the government has prioritized in implementing a set of measures aimed at restoring investors trust in the capital market. In this regard, the governments policy focused on (a) strengthening the rights and interests of general shareholders, (b) bolstering response against fraudulent and unfair trading activities, and (c) ensuring order and fairness in the market. With regard to strengthening protections for general shareholders, we have put in place three layers of protection mechanisms at the end of last year to ensure that the rights and interests of general shareholders are thoroughly guaranteed in an IPO of a split-off subsidiary. Since the introduction of the measures, we have seen changes in corporate practices as more companies are drawing up shareholder protection plans on their own and communicating with shareholders to seek their consent. To protect general shareholders from unforeseen damages caused by insider transactions involving large shareholders or executive officers, we introduced a rule requiring corporate insiders to disclose their share trading plans before the expected trading date. To ensure that general shareholders can also
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Jul 17, 2023
- Authorities to Ease Rules on Overseas Subsidiary Ownership of Financial Companies
- The financial regulatory reform committee held its 8th meeting on July 17. At the meeting, participants discussed (a) measures to ease rules on domestic financial companies ownership of subsidiaries in overseas markets, (b) ways to improve licensing standards on mergers between savings banks and (c) recent progress in the implementation of financial regulatory reform agendas sought by the committee. With regard to the measures to ease rules on financial companies ownership of subsidiaries in overseas markets, the proposed measures will first ease rules on domestic banks, insurance companies, specialized credit finance companies and fintech businesses making investment in foreign financial and non-financial companies within the scope of regulatory boundaries exhibited in overseas markets. For instance, a specialized credit finance business specializing in auto finance products may be able to acquire a rental car business in an overseas market to expand its sales operation. An insurance company will be able to own a foreign bank operating in an overseas market. A fintech business belonging to a domestic financial holding company can acquire an investment advisory or investment consulting business as a subsidiary. As many financial companies have been making requests to ease regulations regarding their foreign subsidiary holdings, it is expected that business diversification driven by local demand will help boost their competitiveness in overseas markets. Second, the proposed measures will ease rules on the maximum level of credit extension allowed for foreign subsidiaries. Through a revision to the supervisory regulations on financial holding companies, authorities plan to increase the maximum level of credit (within 10%p) that can be extended by a financial company to its foreign subsidiary for certain period of time (i.e. for first three years). Third, for the rules that have been set up for domestic environment and are thus not quite suitable to be applied on forei
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Jun 19, 2023
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Jun 05, 2023
- Foreign Investor Registration Requirement to be Abolished in Korea
- The government approved a revision bill of the Enforcement Decree of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (FSCMA) abolishing the foreign investors registration requirement at a cabinet meeting held on June 5. The foreign investor registration system, which has been in place for about three decades since 1992, will be abolished starting from December 14 this year, six months after promulgation of the revised law which is expected to be on June 13. Under the foreign investor registration system, foreign investors had to register with the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) prior to investing in locally listed securities (stocks, bonds, etc.). For foreign investors, opening an investment account at a securities firm was possible only after registering with the authority and being assigned a registration certificate (foreign investor ID). As this process can be time-consuming and requires much paperwork, this rule was pointed out as a significant barrier for foreign investors in investing in Korean stock markets. Moreover, this kind of registration requirement for foreign investors is not being implemented in major advanced economies such as the U.S. and Japan. Thus, from the perspective of making Korean regulations more consistent with global standards, global investors have made continuous calls for the need to change this rule. Introduced in 1992 to manage foreign investors maximum investment limit, the foreign investor registration system has been in place for the past three decades without much change despite the fact that the foreigners investment limit was abolished in 1998 in principle, leaving only 33 items under the authorities watch for foreigners total holding limit and two items for foreign individual holding limit out of some 2,500 listed companies currently. Once the revised Enforcement Decree of the FSCMA takes effect, foreign investors will be able to open investment accounts at securities firms without having to go through a prior
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Apr 20, 2023
- FSC Chairman Speaks about Measures to Boost Support for Startups and Venture Businesses
- The FSC and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held a press briefing on their joint effort to boost support for startups and venture businesses on April 20. The following is a summary of FSC Chairman Kim Joo-hyuns opening remarks. FSC Chairmans Remarks The measures to support startups and venture businesses being announced today are focused on helping the industry escape the problem of death valley in terms of their financing needs, and the measures take into account opinions of key industry participants such as venture investors and startups. According to venture investors, the industry currently faces difficulties in attracting new investment due to liquidity shortage amid interest rate hikes and anxieties in financial markets. Also, the slowdown in IPO market activities has made it difficult for investors to collect their investments, which restricts opportunities for new investment. Against this backdrop, while reflecting the opinions and needs of the industry, the government has drawn up support measures that will help strengthen the role of policy financial institutions while having the private sector play the key role in this private-public joint effort. Support for venture investors First, to support venture capital to liquidate funds at maturity according to schedule to allow opportunities for new investment, authorities will set up a secondary fund worth KRW1 trillion through policy financial institutions this year. Second, to facilitate banks to provide more venture capital, the banks investment cap on venture funds will be raised from the current level of 0.5 percent of equity capital to 1% of equity capital. Third, additional funds will be injected to the KONEX scale-up fund to promote innovative startups to be listed on KONEX and enable them to make collection on investment. Support for startups First, to help ensure a continuous growth of early-stage startups that are not making any profits and deep tech startups for which it may take a long time befor