"To resolve the Korea discount, we will closely communicate with the market to enhance the predictability of the Korean capital market."
Lee Ok-yeon, chair of the Financial Services Commission, made this statement on September 28 during the 'Korea Premium Week 2026' event held at The Grand Lotte Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul. He described the event as a large-scale national communication initiative aimed at connecting the voices of businesses, investors, and the public while broadly discussing key issues in the capital market. "Through Korea Premium Week, we aim to directly showcase the past, present, and future potential of the Korean capital market to global investors," he said.
Lee noted that the KOSPI, which had been trapped in a trading range, has recorded the highest growth rate among major countries since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, rising in market capitalization ranking from 13th to 8th, thus enhancing its status as a global stock market. He explained that the government's efforts to establish order and rules in the market, including three amendments to the Commercial Act and the launch of a joint response team against stock price manipulation, have prompted companies to respond with shareholder-friendly policies, helping to alleviate the undervaluation of the domestic stock market.
He emphasized, "Through this event, we want to share our efforts to resolve the Korea discount and the changes in the market with participants."
Lee acknowledged that opportunities and risks coexist in the market, stating, "Our stock market currently faces many challenges, including rising international oil prices, pressures from global interest rate hikes, and uncertainties surrounding AI and the semiconductor sector. However, I expect that we can diagnose changes in domestic and international environments with market experts and analyze the new challenges our stock market faces with a clear perspective."
Finally, he stated, "The government plans to firmly establish the capital market reforms it has been pursuing while also enhancing the market's substance. We aim to institutionalize Korea Premium Week as a representative global IR brand for South Korea and to increase trust and predictability in the Korean capital market through close communication with the market regarding future policy directions."
Meanwhile, this event, co-hosted by the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange, serves as a platform to promote the competitiveness of the domestic capital market to the world, with participation from 42 institutions related to the stock market, the financial investment industry, and media outlets, along with 55 listed companies, running until October 16.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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