‘Slow and steady’ will win Korea’s race for global capital

South Korea’s capital market needs consistent reforms, greater stability and broader sources of growth to attract global investors for the long term, market experts said at The Korea Herald’s HIT Forum in Seoul on Tuesday. Held under the theme “What Will Make Global Capital Stay?” the panel brought together Alexander Treves, managing director at JPMorgan Asset Management; Frank Benzimra, head of Asia equity strategy at Societe Generale; Park Jeong-woo, Nomura’s senior economist for Korea and Tai

2026-09-09 15:54:45:00

Market discipline key to narrowing Korea discount: KCMI vice president

The success of Korea's sweeping governance reforms will hinge on whether new shareholder rights translate into effective market discipline and real changes in corporate behavior, with the National Pension Fund playing a critical role, according to Lee In-hyung, vice president of the Korea Capital Market Institute. "A premium is not a status a market can assign to itself. It is a price that investors are willing to pay, and they pay when they are satisfied that the cash earnings of the company wi

2026-09-09 14:13:17:00

HIT Forum to explore path to lasting ‘Korea premium’

The Korea Herald will hold its annual HIT Forum on Tuesday, bringing together capital market experts and global investors to discuss emerging opportunities in South Korea’s equity market and ways to strengthen its global competitiveness. Under the theme “Korea Premium: Connecting Korean Opportunities with Global Capital,” the forum will explore how Korea can move beyond its long-standing market discount, attract global investment and foster sustainable capital market growth. Lee In-hyung, vice p

2026-09-07 16:11:21:00

Korea discount fight now in companies’ hands: Morgan Stanley

The next phase of South Korea's market rerating will depend on whether companies improve governance, capital allocation and returns on equity, according to Morgan Stanley's Korea Chief Strategist Joon Seok. "Rather than (government) policy, we believe the ball is in the corporate sectors' and stakeholders' court," Seok said in a written interview with The Korea Herald. Morgan Stanley's assessment of Korea's reform drive has shifted markedly from April last year, when it viewed the country as sti

2026-09-07 14:38:48:00

Samsung insurers weigh W9tr UK, US dealmaking push

Samsung’s two insurance arms left the door open Thursday to overseas deals potentially worth up to 9 trillion won ($6.6 billion), stopping short of denying reports linking them to major acquisitions in the UK and US. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance is reportedly considering taking control of London-based specialty insurer Canopius, while Samsung Life Insurance is said to be weighing the purchase of about 15 percent of US financial group Principal Financial Group. In separate regulatory filings,

2026-09-03 16:05:04:00

Finance chief nominee puts growth first

Finance Minister nominee Lee Hyung-il on Wednesday laid out a growth-focused policy agenda that also emphasizes capital market reform and stronger economic policy coordination. Lee, currently first vice finance minister, met with reporters in Sejong for the first time since his ministerial nomination Sunday. At the briefing, he identified lifting Korea's potential growth rate and reducing polarization as his two top economic priorities. "We need to accelerate the economy's growth momentum and fi

2026-09-02 14:16:33:00

Korea plans record W821tr budget on chip tax windfall

South Korea will raise government spending by 12.8 percent to a record 820.9 trillion won ($599.5 billion) in 2027, the fastest increase on record, as surging tax revenue gives Seoul room to expand investment in artificial intelligence, strategic industries and social programs. Under the government's medium-term fiscal plan, annual spending is projected to surpass 1,000 trillion won for the first time in 2030, reaching 1,005.2 trillion won, while national debt rises to 1,734.1 trillion won. The

2026-09-01 14:52:12:00

MG turns community finance into local lifeline

As population decline and aging erode financial and social infrastructure across regional South Korea, MG Community Credit Cooperatives is expanding its role beyond banking to support jobs, cultural facilities and vulnerable residents. As of the end of last year, the cooperative financial network operated more than 460 branches across 89 government-designated depopulation areas. Nationwide, it maintained 3,198 outlets, providing face-to-face financial services in communities where elderly reside

2026-09-01 14:22:23:00

Hyundai Capital launches 14th overseas finance unit in India

Hyundai Capital has begun financial operations in India, launching its 14th overseas finance unit as it seeks to support Hyundai Motor Group's expansion in the world's third-largest automobile market. Hyundai Capital India officially started operations after converting its existing consulting entity into a financial company, Hyundai Capital said Monday. The unit will operate as a stand-alone subsidiary under Hyundai Capital's independent management. The company secured a nonbanking financial com

2026-08-31 15:18:00:00

Hanwha Finance to hold AI, finance talent conference in New York

Hanwha Group's financial affiliates will hold a global finance conference in New York in November, bringing together financial industry leaders and aspiring professionals to discuss how artificial intelligence and technological change are reshaping finance and the skills required in the industry. PLUS, the joint brand of Hanwha's financial affiliates, has opened applications for PLUS NY 2026, which will take place at The Glasshouse in Manhattan on Nov. 13. Under the theme "The New Finance Fronti

2026-08-31 15:17:38:00