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  • Government to Develop $1.4 Trillion in State-Owned Assets to Boost National Wealth
    Government to Develop $1.4 Trillion in State-Owned Assets to Boost National Wealth The government is set to actively develop and utilize state-owned assets valued at over 1,400 trillion won to increase national wealth and benefit the public. Plans include developing aging public buildings and idle state land into residential and infrastructure projects, while also leveraging private investment and state asset management funds to expand the scope of development.On August 20, the Ministry of Finance held the 29th State-Owned Asset Policy Review Committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Koo Yun-cheol, where the comprehensive plan for state-owned assets for 2027 was approved. As of the end of last year, the value of state-owned assets stood at 1,403 trillion won. The government aims to enhance the value and utility of these assets to generate national wealth and return the benefits to the public.Starting in 2027, approximately 200 aging public buildings and residences will undergo mixed-use development. Among the 7,547 public buildings, 2,119, or 28.1%, are over 30 years old. The government plans to shift from a development model centered on state asset management funds to one that includes consignment, trust, and private participation.The government will promote mixed-use development that reflects local demand, incorporating community facilities and social overhead capital (SOC) alongside public buildings. A Ministry of Finance official explained in a pre-briefing that the approach will involve developing facilities needed by local communities. Options such as youth housing and libraries will be considered based on local needs.Funding will also be expanded beyond traditional methods. The government plans to enhance capital capacity by investing in the Korea Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO) with government-owned equity, separate from existing projects to construct new public buildings using state asset management funds. A Ministry of Finance official stated, "The fund's capacity has limitations in developing all aging public buildings at once, so we aim to broaden development space by utilizing both private and public funds."The new measures also include long-term private leasing development. Instead of selling state land with good business potential, the government will retain ownership while leasing it long-term for private development using their funds and ideas. The government will allow private entities to generate profits during the development process but will adjust plans for projects that lack public interest or where profits solely benefit the private sector during the project planning phase.A prime candidate site is the former Seoul Police Agency's cavalry unit in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The government is considering developing this area through long-term private leasing to create not only youth housing but also office and community facilities. The initially proposed 400 units of youth housing may change during the project planning process, with discussions currently focusing on a mixed-use development plan that includes around 260 units of youth housing.The government will also accelerate residential supply using idle state land. To sequentially commence construction of 28,000 public housing units for youth and newlywed couples announced in the 1·29 plan starting in 2027, the government will streamline administrative procedures such as project feasibility reviews and design approvals. Approximately 2,000 units of youth dormitories will be supplied in areas like Guro, Seoul, and Sejong, while senior residences will be piloted in Busan.State-owned assets will also be utilized to enhance industrial competitiveness. The government will support national strategic industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and renewable energy with reduced usage fees and long-term leasing. Conversely, special provisions for public institutions with sufficient self-funding capabilities will be reviewed through performance evaluations.The management of the state asset management fund will also be revised. The fund, valued at around 3 trillion won, will increase its stock investment ratio and utilize pension fund pools to supply long-term capital to strategic industries like AI and semiconductors. The government is also pursuing a plan to invest 20 trillion won in government-owned equity and non-cash stocks into a Korean-style strategic sovereign wealth fund.Additionally, the government plans to enact a National Asset Basic Law and establish a unified database for national assets, along with an AI model specialized in managing and developing state-owned assets. From 2026 to 2028, a comprehensive survey of 5.9 million parcels will be conducted, and starting in 2029, annual surveys will replace the current five-year cycle. The penalty rate for unauthorized occupation will also be increased from the current 120% to a maximum of 200%.Deputy Prime Minister Koo stated, "The assets held by the state should be actively utilized as strategic assets that support future growth and the lives of the people. We will make policy efforts to enhance the value of state-owned assets, create national wealth, and return the results to the public in a virtuous cycle."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 15:20:00
  • 30 Days Until the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: A Look at New Sports
    30 Days Until the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: A Look at New Sports Mixed martial arts (MMA) will be among the sports competing for gold medals at the Asian Games. Matches will feature soccer balls exchanged on curved table tennis tables, and players will use rackets to hit balls against glass walls. Additionally, a new virtual reality (VR) taekwondo competition will award gold medals without physical contact between opponents.The 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City, Japan. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the organizing committee have confirmed a program featuring 43 sports, 71 events, and 469 medal competitions.MMA is a familiar yet new addition to the Asian Games. For the first time, it will be included as an official medal sport. It will not be a standalone event but will be categorized under 'combat sports' alongside jiu-jitsu and kurash.There will be a total of six gold medals awarded, divided into four for men and two for women across different weight classes. The competition will feature two formats: 'modern' and 'traditional.' In the traditional format, athletes will wear uniforms, while in the modern format, they will wear shorts and rash guards. Competitors will utilize striking, grappling, throwing, and joint-lock techniques, with victories determined by knockout, technical knockout, submission, or judges' decision. The matches will be held at the Inae Sports Center in Nagoya.Padel will also make its debut at the Asian Games. This racket sport combines elements of tennis and squash, typically played in doubles on a smaller rectangular court surrounded by glass and mesh walls. Unlike tennis, players use solid rackets with holes instead of strings, and balls that bounce off the walls are part of the game. The scoring system is the same as tennis, with two gold medals available for men's and women's doubles.Teqball will also be featured for the first time at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. This sport combines soccer and table tennis, played on a specially designed table that is curved in the middle and slopes down at both ends. Players can use any part of their body except their hands and arms to hit the soccer ball, and they may touch the ball up to three times before sending it over to the opponent's side. Players are not allowed to make physical contact with each other or touch the table during play. The competition will include five events: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles.In taekwondo, a new format will be introduced. 'Virtual taekwondo' will be a formal event for the first time at the summer Asian Games, where athletes will compete without direct contact.In virtual taekwondo, competitors wear VR headsets and motion-tracking devices that project their movements into a virtual space. Each athlete will wear five motion sensors on their upper body, knees, and calves. As they perform taekwondo techniques like kicks, their virtual avatars will replicate these actions without any physical contact.This event will feature a mixed individual competition without gender divisions, with 16 athletes aged 17 to 35 competing in a tournament format. Each match will be a best-of-three series, with each round lasting 60 seconds. The winner will be the athlete who depletes their opponent's 'power gauge' first or has more remaining at the end of the match.Padel and teqball will each be organized as independent medal events, while MMA will be categorized under combat sports. Virtual taekwondo will be a new subdivision within traditional taekwondo, alongside sparring and poomsae.The inclusion of these new sports has transformed the landscape of this year's Asian Games. Athletes will compete for medals in traditional events like athletics and swimming, as well as in e-sports, breaking, MMA, padel, teqball, and virtual taekwondo.As the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games approach in one month, fans can look forward to not only the familiar medal competitions but also the excitement of discovering new events.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 15:16:10
  • Performance Gap Widens Between Kakao Pay Securities and Toss Securities
    Performance Gap Widens Between Kakao Pay Securities and Toss Securities The performance gap between fintech brokerages Toss Securities and Kakao Pay Securities has widened in the first half of this year. While Kakao Pay Securities is experiencing rapid growth, Toss Securities is outpacing it with its focus on brokerage and foreign exchange.According to data from the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system on August 20, Toss Securities reported operating revenue of 891.6 billion won and operating profit of 362 billion won in the first half of this year. This is four times the operating revenue (212.9 billion won) and 5.7 times the operating profit (63.1 billion won) of Kakao Pay Securities. Toss Securities also had an operating profit margin of 40.6%, surpassing Kakao Pay Securities by 12.2 percentage points.Compared to the first half of last year, the disparity has grown even larger. In the same period last year, Toss Securities recorded operating revenue of 353.9 billion won and operating profit of 167.6 billion won, while Kakao Pay Securities reported operating revenue of 110.3 billion won and operating profit of 8.8 billion won. Consequently, the revenue gap between the two companies expanded from 243.6 billion won in the first half of last year to 669.6 billion won this year. The difference in operating profit also widened from 158.8 billion won last year to 298.9 billion won this year.This disparity is particularly evident in their core revenue sources: brokerage and foreign exchange. Toss Securities generated 474.9 billion won in commission revenue, which is 4.8 times that of Kakao Pay Securities (98.5 billion won). In foreign exchange trading, Toss Securities earned 290 billion won, while Kakao Pay Securities made 82.5 billion won.Analysts attribute the performance gap to the timing of their entry into the stock investment brokerage market. Kakao Pay Securities entered the industry first by acquiring Baro Investment Securities in 2020, but it only launched its mobile trading system (MTS) for stock brokerage services in 2022. In contrast, Toss Securities, which was established in 2021, launched its MTS in the same year.Kakao Pay Securities plans to accelerate its growth to catch up with Toss Securities by expanding its business areas. On July 1, it secured approval for investment trading, including acquisition activities, and announced plans to enter corporate finance (IB) with IPO underwriting and bond acquisition. In the next 6 to 12 months, it will focus on IPO underwriting and subscription, as well as venture capital investments in startups, with a long-term goal of expanding into sales and trading as a liquidity provider for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 2026-08-20 15:16:10
  • Toss Bank Expands Electronic Braille Service to All Financial Areas
    Toss Bank Expands Electronic Braille Service to All Financial Areas 토스뱅크가 시각장애 고객의 금융 정보 접근성을 높이기 위해 전자점자 서비스를 여신·수신·카드 등 전 영역으로 확대했다. 토스뱅크는 지난 4월 인터넷전문은행 최초로 통장사본(계좌개설확인서)에 전자점자 서비스를 도입한 데 이어 적용 문서를 금융 전 영역으로 넓혔다고 20일 밝혔다. 전자점자 서비스는 금융 문서를 전자점자 형식으로 변환해 제공하는 서비스다. 토스뱅크 앱에서 증명서를 이메일로 발급받을 때 '이메일로 받기'를 선택하면 일반 PDF와 함께 전자점자 변환 문서를 받을 수 있다. 시각장애 고객은 점자정보단말기 등 보조기기를 이용해 금융 문서 내용을 직접 확인할 수 있다. 토스뱅크는 앞으로도 고객 의견을 바탕으로 전자점자 서비스 적용 범위를 확대하고 금융 서비스 이용 과정에서 발생하는 접근성 문제를 지속적으로 개선할 계획이다. 토스뱅크 관계자는 "전자점자 서비스는 고객의 의견에서 시작해 자체 기술로 구현하고 여신·수신·카드 전 영역으로 확장한 접근성 개선 사례"라며 "앞으로도 금융 이용 과정에서 고객이 마주하는 장벽을 세심하게 살피고 기술로 해결해 나가겠다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 15:16:00
  • US Treasury boosts bond buybacks as long-term yields surge
    US Treasury boosts bond buybacks as long-term yields surge SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - The U.S. Treasury has calmed a surge in long-term borrowing costs by doubling buybacks of longer-dated bonds, but the move does little to address the forces behind the selloff as Washington continues to run large deficits and federal debt pushes past US$40 trillion. The Treasury said it would raise individual buybacks in the 10-to-20-year and 20-to-30-year sectors to at least $4 billion from $2 billion, with the higher limits applying from Sept. 9 through Nov. 4. The response was immediate, with the 30-year Treasury yield retreating to around 5.18 percent after touching 5.34 percent, its highest level since 2007. But the program remains small relative to the market it is attempting to stabilize, with maximum repurchases between early August and early November totaling about $83 billion against more than $32 trillion of publicly held U.S. debt. The gap becomes wider when measured against Washington's financing needs, as the Treasury expects to borrow $739 billion in privately held net marketable debt in the July-September quarter and another $628 billion in the final three months of the year. Buybacks can improve liquidity in older securities and redistribute duration across the yield curve, but they do not reduce the deficit that keeps generating new Treasury supply. That makes the expanded program a tool for easing market stress rather than a fundamental solution to the long-bond selloff. Citi's Dan Gottlander said the expanded operations could have a significant effect on longer maturities but noted that the program "does not change deficits," leaving the government to finance its borrowing elsewhere along the curve. Washington has also taken the unusual step of joining Japan in yen-buying intervention, another measure that can relieve immediate market pressure without changing the monetary, fiscal and supply forces driving currencies and long-term bond yields. The broader challenge is that the selloff is not confined to the United States, with Japanese long-term yields approaching multi-decade highs while borrowing costs in Germany and France have also risen sharply, increasing competition for global fixed-income capital. The New York Fed's estimate of the U.S. 10-year term premium has climbed to around 80 basis points, close to a 12-year high, suggesting that investors are demanding greater compensation for holding long-term debt beyond expectations for the Federal Reserve's policy rate. Foreign demand has also become less certain, with Treasury holdings by Japan, Britain and China declining in June as higher yields elsewhere and changing portfolio incentives make it less certain that overseas buyers will absorb new U.S. issuance at existing prices. The pressure comes as total federal debt has crossed $40 trillion, including more than $32 trillion held by the public, while the Congressional Budget Office projects that publicly held debt will rise from around 101 percent of gross domestic product this year to 120 percent by 2036. The $40 trillion threshold is not itself a black swan because the U.S. debt trajectory is widely known, but the growing debt stock could amplify another shock if renewed inflation, higher oil prices, weak Treasury auctions or softer foreign demand force investors to demand materially higher long-term yields. For South Korea, the clearest transmission channel is the bond market because higher global term premiums can push up domestic long-term borrowing costs even without a change in the Bank of Korea's policy rate. That sensitivity was evident on Aug. 18, when the three-year Korean government bond yield rose 6.6 basis points to 3.862 percent while the 10-year jumped 10.2 basis points to 4.415 percent, the 20-year gained 11.7 basis points to 4.675 percent and the 30-year rose 10.8 basis points to 4.777 percent. The larger moves at the long end showed how a U.S. duration and fiscal shock can be transmitted into Korean borrowing costs independently of expectations for the BOK, potentially tightening financing conditions even if policymakers in Seoul do not raise the base rate further. The currency channel is less straightforward because higher U.S. yields driven by stronger growth or Fed tightening typically support the dollar, while yields rising because investors demand a larger fiscal-risk premium can coincide with dollar weakness. A more severe Treasury-market disruption could produce the opposite response, however, if global risk aversion triggers demand for dollar liquidity and puts renewed downward pressure on the won. Equities face a similar transmission channel through discount rates, as persistently higher long-term yields reduce the present value of future earnings and put particular pressure on technology and other growth stocks. South Korea's chip-heavy equity market is therefore exposed to renewed increases in global long-term rates even when domestic earnings remain strong, adding another channel through which U.S. fiscal conditions can influence Korean asset prices. Washington can buy time with larger Treasury buybacks and currency intervention, but it cannot buy back the deficit, and if the center of gravity in long-term yields continues shifting from Fed policy toward fiscal supply and term premiums, Korea may increasingly find itself importing U.S. fiscal risk as well as U.S. monetary policy. AJP Takeaways • The U.S. Treasury doubled longer-dated bond buybacks to at least $4 billion per operation, but the program remains small compared with Washington's borrowing needs and more than $32 trillion of publicly held debt. • U.S. buybacks can ease liquidity stress and temporarily lower yields, but they do not reduce the fiscal deficit that keeps generating new Treasury supply. • South Korea's bond market showed direct spillovers on Aug. 18 as 10- to 30-year government yields rose more sharply than the three-year yield during the global long-bond selloff. • South Korean markets remain exposed to U.S. fiscal risk through long-term borrowing costs, the won and equity valuations even without another change in the BOK's policy rate. 2026-08-20 15:12:33
  • mRNA Technology Paves New Path for Personalized Cancer Vaccines
    mRNA Technology Paves New Path for Personalized Cancer Vaccines The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology, proven effective through COVID-19 vaccines, is now opening new avenues in cancer treatment.A personalized cancer treatment developed jointly by Moderna and Merck (MSD), called Intismeran Autojin (V940), has shown significant improvements in recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival in a Phase 3 clinical trial involving high-risk melanoma patients. This marks the first time an mRNA-based cancer treatment has yielded positive results in a Phase 3 trial, establishing a milestone in humanity's fight against cancer.This achievement is noteworthy because it fundamentally alters the approach to attacking cancer. Intismeran analyzes a patient's tumor to identify unique mutations and then delivers information about up to 34 neoantigens via mRNA. This process enables the patient's immune system to learn the characteristics of cancer cells and attack them autonomously, moving away from traditional treatments that administer the same drug to all patients and creating a 'patient-specific therapeutic vaccine.'The treatment's effectiveness has exceeded initial expectations. Results from a previously announced Phase 2b trial showed that the combination therapy reduced the risk of cancer recurrence or death by 49% and the risk of distant metastasis or death by 59% compared to the monotherapy with Keytruda. The Phase 3 trial included 1,137 patients with stage II to IV melanoma who had undergone surgery, meeting the primary endpoints of recurrence and metastasis suppression. This demonstrates that mRNA technology can extend beyond infectious disease prevention to become a platform for cancer treatment. Moderna and Merck are expanding clinical trials to include lung, bladder, and kidney cancers.However, it is important to avoid jumping to conclusions about 'conquering cancer.' The announcement has only revealed key results, and specific details on risk reduction are still pending. The overall survival rate, which indicates how much longer patients' lives are extended, also requires further evaluation. Regulatory approvals and long-term safety assessments are still necessary. Since each patient’s tumor must be analyzed and a separate vaccine designed and produced, challenges related to manufacturing time, costs, and quality control must be addressed. If the innovative treatment is priced high, making it accessible only to a select few patients, it would be difficult to claim that medical success translates into social success.Nonetheless, the significance of this achievement should not be underestimated. mRNA technology can rapidly adapt design and production processes and can be integrated with artificial intelligence, genomic analysis, and immunotherapy techniques. It holds great potential to accelerate the era of precision medicine, where treatment is tailored to patients' genetic characteristics rather than the type of cancer. If the immune system can eliminate residual cancer cells after surgery, preventing recurrence and metastasis, the focus of cancer treatment could shift from extending the lives of terminal patients to early intervention and improving cure rates.This development presents clear challenges for the South Korean biopharmaceutical industry. Relying solely on vaccine production facilities or contract development and manufacturing capabilities will not suffice to lead the future market. A precision medicine ecosystem that connects tumor sampling, genomic analysis, antigen selection, mRNA design and manufacturing, and hospital administration is essential. The government must clarify standards for utilizing clinical data and protecting genomic information, and expedite the establishment of a regulatory, review, and pricing system suitable for personalized treatments. A foundation for safe data sharing among companies, hospitals, and universities must also be built.Conquering cancer cannot be achieved by a single company or technology alone. However, the efforts of Moderna and Merck demonstrate that the era of analyzing cancer on a patient-by-patient basis and teaching the immune system how to attack is no longer a fantasy. The spark of mRNA innovation born from the COVID-19 crisis is now leading to hope in cancer treatment. South Korea must focus on accumulating foundational research, clinical trials, data, and manufacturing capabilities with perseverance, rather than chasing short-term results and trends. The path to conquering cancer has been opened. What is now needed is scientific validation, ongoing investment, and a systemic foundation that fairly returns the benefits of innovation to patients.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 15:12:10
  • Ticket Scalping for Odyssey Highlights Regulatory Gaps
    Ticket Scalping for 'Odyssey' Highlights Regulatory Gaps The excitement for Christopher Nolan's new film 'Odyssey' is palpable. In particular, the IMAX theater at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall, known as 'Yongamx,' has become a battleground for ticket seekers. When ticket sales opened, the waiting list on the CGV app soared to over 9,000, and the 1 a.m. screening sold out. This is a welcome sight for an industry that has struggled with declining audience numbers.However, this surge in interest has been accompanied by rampant ticket scalping. On resale platforms, tickets for Yongamx, which normally cost around 20,000 won, have been listed for over 100,000 won each, with some even reaching 120,000 won. This represents a markup of five to six times the original price. In some cases, sellers have listed more than ten tickets for a single screening, indicating that these transactions are not merely personal exchanges but rather organized scalping operations.'Odyssey' is notable for being the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, with an original aspect ratio of 1.43:1. Among the 27 IMAX theaters in South Korea, only the Yongsan I-Park Mall can display this aspect ratio. As word spread that 'to truly experience the film, it must be seen in Yongamx,' demand surged. As of August 10, the film had attracted over 2.13 million viewers, with 220,000 of those attending IMAX screenings, accounting for more than 10% of total admissions. The more difficult it is to obtain tickets, the more opportunities arise for scalpers.The challenge lies in the lack of effective measures to regulate online ticket scalping. While the performing arts and sports sectors have seen significant regulatory enhancements this year, the film industry remains largely unprotected. New amendments to the Performance Act and the National Sports Promotion Act will take effect on August 28, prohibiting the fraudulent purchase of tickets for resale and imposing fines of up to 50 times the ticket price for habitual offenders.In contrast, the current Minor Offenses Punishment Act allows for the punishment of offline scalping but lacks legal grounds to directly regulate online ticket sales. A proposed amendment to the Promotion of Movies and Video Works Act, which would prohibit the sale or facilitation of movie tickets at inflated prices, is currently pending in the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has expressed support for the amendment aimed at curbing ticket scalping. With regulations already in place for scalping in the performing arts and sports, there is no reason for the film industry to remain a regulatory blind spot.Scalping should not be viewed merely as private transactions between individuals buying and selling tickets at inflated prices. When someone hoards multiple tickets and resells them at a premium, it diminishes the opportunity for regular moviegoers to see the film at a fair price. The profits from scalping do not benefit the film industry or its creators.As audiences return to theaters, eager to watch quality films in a good environment, this enthusiasm is a positive development for the film industry. However, it must not be allowed to become a profit-making avenue for scalpers. Lawmakers need to quickly address the regulatory gaps, and theaters and resale platforms should strengthen measures to prevent abnormal bulk purchases and fraudulent transactions. Ensuring that tickets can be purchased at fair prices is essential. 2026-08-20 15:12:10
  • Hugels WELLAGE Brand Launches at Sephora in North America with Olive Young Partnership
    Hugel's WELLAGE Brand Launches at Sephora in North America with Olive Young Partnership Hugel's clinical cosmetic brand WELLAGE has officially launched at Sephora, a global beauty retail chain, in partnership with Olive Young. This move aims to expand its global skincare business and accelerate its entry into the North American market.Starting August 20, Hugel will showcase five representative products from the WELLAGE 'Real Hyaluronic' line, including a one-day kit, ampoules, toner, cream, and masks, at the Olive Young K-Beauty Edit display in Sephora stores across the United States.Hugel will also participate in a pop-up store truck co-planned by Olive Young and Sephora. This pop-up will sequentially open in major U.S. cities such as New York, Texas, and Florida. At the event, local consumers will receive a 10ml miniature of the 'Real Hyaluronic Blue 100 Ampoule,' which was selected as the winner in the essence and serum category at the 2025 Olive Young Awards, and will have the opportunity to experience WELLAGE's best-selling products.Carrie Strom, Hugel's Global CEO, stated, "We are honored to officially enter Sephora, a premium retail channel that leads global beauty trends. Based on our unique position and proven product efficacy in the domestic moisture ampoule market, we will actively enhance the status of K-beauty in the global market, including the United States."Earlier, WELLAGE had entered Olive Young's Pasadena and Century City locations in May and June. The brand is continuously expanding its consumer touchpoints in the North American market through major online and offline retail channels, including Amazon and Costco in the U.S. and Canada.Additionally, Hugel recently participated in the 'Olive Young Festa LA 2026' held in Los Angeles, aiming to broaden its consumer reach in North America. WELLAGE was featured as an Olive Young partner brand at the event, which took place from August 14 to 16 at the LA Convention Center, attracting approximately 11,000 visitors to its booth.The Olive Young Festa LA 2026 is part of the global K-culture festival 'KCON LA 2026' and focuses on K-beauty.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 15:12:00
  • Utilizing Semiconductor Windfall for Welfare and Pension Funding
    Utilizing Semiconductor Windfall for Welfare and Pension Funding 보건복지부가 반도체 특수로 늘어난 초과 세수를 건강보험 국고지원 및 국민연금 크레디트 확대에 적극 활용하겠다는 구상을 밝혔다. 지난 19일 국회 보건복지위원회 전체회의에서 정은경 보건복지부 장관이 세수 증대분을 사회보험 재정 건전화에 충당하도록 관계 부처와 협의하겠다는 뜻을 보였다. 최근 반도체 산업의 뚜렷한 활황세와 대기업 실적 개선에 힘입어 올해 상반기 국세수입이 당초 예상을 크게 뛰어넘으며 막대한 초과 세수 청신호가 켜졌다. 기획재정부 및 세수 추계 자료 등에 따르면 올해 상반기에만 약 30조원 넘는 국세 수입 증가세가 나타나는 등 상당한 재정 여력이 발생할 것으로 전망된다. 특히 구조적 재정 위기와 고령화 위험에 봉착한 사회보험의 내실을 다지고 미래 세대의 부담을 덜어주기 위해 초과 세수를 투입하겠다는 복지부의 구상은 재정의 사회적 가치를 극대화하는 대안으로 보인다.현행 국민건강보험법과 국민건강증진법에 따르면 정부는 해당 연도 건강보험료 예상 수입액의 20%(일반회계 14%, 국민건강증진기금 6%)를 국고에서 정률로 지원해야 한다. 그러나 장기간 계속된 예산 당국의 국고 지원 미달로 인해 실제 지원율은 법정 기준에 크게 못 미치는 14% 안팎에 머물렀으며 그간 쌓인 누적 미지원액만 무려 약 22조원에 달해 사회적 불신을 자초해왔다. 이러한 상황에서 복지부 장관이 초과 세수 적립분을 활용해 국가의 법적 의무 이행 수치를 충실히 채우고, 사회안전망을 촘촘히 하겠다고 나선 것은 행정의 책임성과 공공성을 높일 수 있을 것으로 평가된다.복지부 및 유관기관 수장들의 전향적인 합의와 의지도 초과 세수 활용에 뜻을 같이하고 있다. 정은경 복지부 장관은 “건강보험에 대한 국고 지원을 좀 더 확대하고, 국민연금의 군 복무·출산 크레디트와 저소득층 보험료 지원이 확대될 수 있도록 지속적으로 협의하겠다”고 말했다. 강청희 국민건강보험공단 이사장은 “부족한 국고지원금을 채워 안정적 재원을 확보하고, 보장성을 강화하는 방안에 전적으로 공감한다”는 뜻을 밝혔다. 김성주 국민연금공단 이사장 역시 초과 세수를 미래 세대의 연금 재원으로 적립·활용하는 제안에 적극 찬성하며, 적립된 재원은 미래 산업과 청년층을 위한 투자로 되돌아갈 것이라고 강조했다. 조세 및 재정 전문가들도 복지부 입장과 괘를 같이하고 있다. ‘미래대응기금’과 같은 제도적 틀을 구축해 초과 세수를 효율적으로 운용해야 한다고 입을 모은다. 반도체 특수로 인한 일회성·가변적 세수증가분을 단발성 소모성 예산 사업이나 정치적 추경에 허투루 충당하기보다 별도의 기금 신설 혹은 국가재정법·국민연금법 개정을 거쳐 연금 및 건강보험 적립금으로 비축하는 것이 국가의 미래 대응력을 극대화하는 길이라는 지적이다.일시적인 산업 호황으로 발생한 초과 세수를 사회보험의 구조적 건전성 제고와 청년층의 부담 완화로 환원하는 선순환 구조야말로 국가의 미래 성장을 담보하는 지혜이자 정책 방향이다. 정은경 장관이 물꼬를 튼 초과 세수 활용 구상이 미래 세대의 불안을 덜고, 국가의 지속 가능한 미래 성장을 견인하는 단단한 재정 토대로 결실을 맺기를 기대한다. 2026-08-20 15:12:00
  • Woori Bank Secures Government Bond Trading via Global Payment Network
    Woori Bank Secures Government Bond Trading via Global Payment Network Woori Bank announced on August 20 that it has completed a package deal for trading and settlement of government bonds through international financial institutions and the International Central Securities Depository (ICSD), along with related foreign exchange (FX) transactions.The ICSD is an international securities settlement network used by global investors for trading overseas securities, with Euroclear and Clearstream being prominent examples. Foreign investors can trade Korean government bonds using a unified account established by the ICSD with the Korea Securities Depository, eliminating the need for separate custodians or individual accounts.Previously, domestic financial institutions were unable to participate in offshore settlements through the ICSD, limiting their ability to directly supply government bonds to foreign investors. In January, the government and related agencies established guidelines allowing domestic banks and securities firms to directly trade and settle government bonds with foreign investors via the ICSD.Woori Bank has successfully connected this regulatory improvement to actual transactions. By integrating government bond supply with KRW currency exchange and FX derivative transactions, the bank enables foreign investors to access all necessary financial services for bond investments in one package.To achieve this, Woori Bank engaged with various overseas financial institutions in the first half of the year to assess investment demand and established a dedicated system that connects customer verification (KYC) with government bond sales and FX derivative transactions.Choi Jun-ki, head of Woori Bank's Capital Market Sales Division, stated, “This transaction is significant as it allows a domestic bank to utilize a global payment network to directly supply government bonds to overseas institutional investors while also linking FX transactions. We aim to expand package sales combining government bonds and FX hedging for global financial institutions, supporting the globalization of the Korean government bond market.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 15:08:20