Articles by Choi Ji-won
Choi Ji-won
jwc@heraldcorp.com-
Kakao Bank CEO joins Grab's board
Yun Ho-young, CEO of Kakao Bank, has been appointed as a new board member for Grab, the largest super-app operator in Southeast Asia, the Internet-only lender confirmed Wednesday. Yun was officially appointed as an outside director of Grab's board on Monday and will serve as a member of the board's audit committee. Yun's appointment follows the strategic partnership formed between the two companies last year. In October, Kakao Bank announced the acquisition of a 10 percent stake i
Economy April 3, 2024
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FSC ramps up benefits to bolster corporate value-up drive
Financial regulators are ramping up efforts to encourage local companies to participate in the government's initiative to bolster South Korea's market valuation. The Financial Services Commission announced a series of new incentives on Tuesday for companies improving their governance structures, including exemptions from the government's stringent auditor designation system. Under the current regulations, listed companies appointing auditors voluntarily for six consecutive years m
Economy April 2, 2024
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Internet-only banks soar past W100tr in assets
Last year witnessed remarkable growth for South Korea's three internet-only banks, as their combined value surged past the milestone 100 trillion won ($74 billion). The aggregate assets of Kakao Bank, K bank and Toss Bank reached approximately 101.61 trillion won by the end of last year, marking a substantial 27 percent increase from the previous year's 79.5 trillion won. Kakao Bank led the pack with total assets of 54.48 trillion won, followed by Toss Bank with 25.73 trillion won and
Industry April 1, 2024
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[Hello India] Korean investment firms push into India amid China decline
More South Korean securities and investment firms are turning their eyes to the Indian market, exploring opportunities to tap the world's fastest-growing economy. NH Investment & Securities recently announced a partnership with Lighthouse Canton, a Singapore-based global asset management institution, as part of this trend. In January, NH Absolute Return Partners, a Singapore-based asset management company owned by NH Investment & Securities, signed a memorandum of understanding to c
Economy March 31, 2024
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Mirae Asset chief’s dividend donations reach W31.5b
Mirae Asset Financial Group founder and Chairman Park Hyeon-joo is donating 1.6 billion won ($1.2 million) he earned from dividends last year, marking the 14th straight year of his philanthropic tradition. On Sunday, the company disclosed that Park will endow his entire dividend income from Mirae Asset Global Investments. Continuing the practice since 2010, Park's cumulative donations now reach 31.5 billion won. The group traces Park's charitable journey back to 2008 when he penned a l
Industry March 31, 2024
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FSS chief vows to boost Korea's attractiveness to investors
Lee Bok-hyun, head of South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service, pledged Thursday to promote "sound and fair finance," aiming to enhance the country's allure as an investment destination for foreign investors. Lee addressed officials from global financial firms and foreign diplomats during the annual "FSS Speaks" forum held in Seoul under the theme "toward sound and fair finance." "In striving for this objective, we aim to cultivate market practices
Economy March 28, 2024
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Korean banks up ante in Poland amid heightened ties
South Korean banks are poised to bolster their presence in Poland, anticipating a surge in demand for financial assistance as the two nations deepen their strategic alliances and economic ties. On Tuesday, KB Kookmin Bank, one of the country's leading lenders, announced a partnership with Poland's Bank Pekao to establish a "Korea Desk." According to Kookmin Bank, the signing ceremony for the deal was held on Monday at Pekao's Warsaw headquarters. The event was attended b
Industry March 26, 2024
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New Kyobo Life CEO urges change, innovation
The new CEO of Kyobo Life Insurance, the nation's leading life insurer, has pledged to achieve "sustainable growth" that benefits all stakeholders. Upon assuming office on Monday, CEO Cho Dae-kyu cautioned about the life insurance industry's current challenges, citing "stagnant growth and declining profitability." During his inauguration ceremony at the company's headquarters in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, the CEO stressed the urgent need for "change and i
Industry March 25, 2024
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Woori Bank first to start ELS compensation
South Korean banks are beginning compensation measures for losses stemming from the misselling of equity-linked securities tied to Hong Kong's Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, with the sector's smallest seller, Woori, leading the initiative. Woori Bank officially announced Friday it would begin the compensation process next month, in line with the outline issued by the financial watchdog. The decision was made during the company's board meeting that day. According to Woori Bank,
Industry March 22, 2024
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Japan's historic rate pivot won't roil Korea: experts
The Bank of Japan's first interest rate hike in almost two decades has rattled the global economy, yet it may not have as much of an impact in South Korea, at least not for a while. The central bank of Japan on Tuesday announced it is lifting its short-term policy rate to a range of 0 to 0.1 percent from minus 0.1 percent, stepping away from the negative interest rate policy it had been applying since 2016 to fight chronic deflation. It also marked the central bank's first interest rat
Economy March 20, 2024
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Korea pledges W452tr in climate finance until 2030
The South Korean government and local banks on Tuesday pledged to jointly invest 452 trillion won ($337.4 billion) until 2030 to tackle the climate crisis. The move aligns with the country's intensified efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and bolster domestic firms' competitive edge in overseas markets. "This unprecedented climate crisis we face today demands action not only to enhance our companies' competitiveness but also for the generations to come," said Ki
Economy March 19, 2024
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Finance stocks rally despite ELS woes
Despite internal setbacks, South Korean finance giants are forging ahead with a robust rally in the local stock market, as several companies reach historic highs. The share prices of KB Financial Co. and Hana Financial Co., two of the nation's biggest finance holding firms, soared to unprecedented levels Thursday. KB Financial's shares hit 78,600 won ($59) after three consecutive days of record-setting gains, while Hana's reached 64,600 won. Shinhan Financial Co.'s shares als
Economy March 17, 2024
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[KH Explains] Will Webull reshape Korea's mobile trading?
Webull Corporation, a prominent US-based online stock trading platform, has initiated preliminary operations to establish its presence in South Korea. Speculation surrounding the debut of the New York-headquartered company's services rose recently following reports indicating Webull's engagement with local financial regulators to secure related licenses for domestic operations. Citing Webull Korea Preliminary CEO Rhee Won-jae, Herald Biz disclosed last month that Webull "plans to
Economy March 13, 2024
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HK-tied ELS sellers may face full compensation claims for losses
With losses from equity-linked securities tied to a Hong Kong index expected to reach almost 6 trillion won ($4.57 billion) this year, South Korean financial regulators announced Monday that sellers may face full compensation for the loss. The announcement follows the Financial Supervisory Service's inspection of local banks and brokerages that sold large amounts of ELS products tied to the troubled Hang Seng China Enterprises Index. From Jan. 8 to Friday, the watchdog conducted a thorough
Economy March 11, 2024
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S&P cuts outlook on Mirae Asset Securities, Korea Investment & Securities
S&P Global Ratings on Thursday lowered the outlook for two major Korean asset management firms, Mirae Asset Securities and Korea Investment & Securities, from "stable" to "negative." The agency kept their long-term issuer credit ratings at BBB and short-term ratings at A-2. The negative outlook reflects the agency's concern that property risks could strain the asset quality and profitability of Korean securities firms over the next one to two years. "Headwin
Economy March 8, 2024
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