Lee Chan-jin: "I will create an environment where investors can invest with confidence"... First overseas IR since taking office

[Financial News] Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Chan-jin emphasized, "I will create an environment where investors can invest with confidence," during his first overseas investor relations (IR) meeting since taking office. It appears he judged that active communication efforts with overseas investors are necessary at the financial authorities level, as the outflow of foreign capital from the stock and bond markets continues despite a series of policy efforts to enhance shareholder value, such as the amendment of the Commercial Act.
According to the Financial Supervisory Service on the 10th, Governor Lee conducted overseas investor relations (IR) activities in the United Kingdom from the 6th to this day. Accompanying him were Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. Chairman Jin Ok-dong, Woori Financial Group Chairman Jong-ryong Yim, executives from four financial companies including Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd. CEO Kim Seong-hwan and NH Investment & Securities CEO Shin Jae-wook, National Pension Service (NPS) Strategy Division Head Kim Han-kook, Seoul Metropolitan Government Vice Mayor for Political Affairs Park Chan-gu, and Busan city officials. The practice of the Financial Supervisory Service Governor conducting overseas IR activities together with financial company CEOs began during the tenure of former Governor Lee Bok-hyun.
Presiding over 'Invest K-Finance: London IR 2026' in London on the 8th (local time), Governor Lee explained, "Domestic and external risk factors, such as increased global market volatility and the possibility of a worsening financing environment due to rising interest rates, still persist," but added, "Although volatility in the Korean stock market increased due to the global rise in semiconductor stock price volatility, it is rapidly stabilizing."
This event was held in the form of a small-scale roundtable meeting with the goal of in-depth dialogue regarding the Korean capital market. Executives from 22 major global investment banks (IBs) and asset management firms, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Invesco, and GMO, attended.
During this IR session, Governor Lee emphasized the financial authorities' policy commitment to fostering a favorable investment environment. In particular, he stated, "We will strictly respond to market disruptions by strengthening our capabilities to counter unfair trading practices." He also remarked, "We will encourage undervalued companies to voluntarily enhance their value and modernize the corporate governance of financial institutions to create a corporate culture where shareholder value is respected." As specific tasks, he mentioned policy initiatives such as refining entry and exit criteria and segmenting the KOSDAQ market, inducing capital flow into high-tech sectors through improvements in financial institutions' capital regulations, internationalizing the Korean won and extending foreign exchange trading hours, and establishing infrastructure for tokenized securities.
It is reported that the attending foreign investors focused their questions on topics such as "what measures the authorities have taken to address stock market and exchange rate volatility" and "whether an environment conducive to encouraging long-term investment by foreign investors appears likely to be created." According to the Bank of Korea's "International Financial and Foreign Exchange Market Trends" statistics released last month, there was a net outflow of $21.65 billion in foreign investment in securities (stocks and bonds) during July. Amid this, the stock market recorded consecutive net outflows from January to July.
Meanwhile, during this business trip, Governor Lee met with Sarah Pritchard, Deputy Commissioner of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the United Kingdom, and Katharine Braddick, Commissioner of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). With Commissioner Braddick, he discussed prudential regulations for banking and insurance, digital operational risks, and supervisory measures for virtual assets and stablecoins.

[email protected] Jo Eun-hyo Reporter