Son Byung-du, Chairman of Korea Exchange, "Expanding K-Unicorn Company Listings and Enhancing ESG Disclosure"

Announcement of '3 Key Priorities' at the 2022 Securities and Derivatives Market Opening Ceremony

Son Byung-doo, Chairman of the Korea Exchange, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Son Byung-du, Chairman of the Korea Exchange, announced that he will focus on supporting innovative growth and creating an advanced market environment this year.

Chairman Son stated at the 2022 Securities and Derivatives Market Opening Ceremony held at the Korea Exchange Seoul office on the morning of the 3rd, presenting the slogan "With the resilience to overcome crises, towards a new future of the capital market" and pledged to devote himself to three key tasks.

He said, "This year, the capital market faces new challenges and opportunities due to ongoing COVID-19 situations, global supply chain bottlenecks, inflation, and other uncertainties," adding, "The Exchange plans to focus on three key tasks to overcome the current crisis and open a new future for the capital market, supporting innovative growth toward a better future and leading sustainable finance."

To this end, the Exchange plans to expand listings of K-Unicorn companies and actively support smooth funding for promising future industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Furthermore, to promote sustainable finance and a culture of responsible investment, the Exchange will enhance the disclosure of companies' Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) information and continue to expand the investment base in the emissions trading market.

Secondly, he stated, "We will focus on creating an advanced market environment for a higher leap of the capital market." Through bold deregulation, the Exchange will modernize market systems and services and upgrade IT infrastructure to world-class levels to improve investors' trading convenience.

He also explained that the Exchange will expand a diverse product lineup, including thematic indexes, active Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), policy rate futures, and individual stock futures and options.

Lastly, he said, "We will drive sound growth based on the firm trust of market participants." The Exchange plans to strengthen post-management of listed companies and expand close support such as consulting services to enhance management transparency. At the same time, it will tighten the market surveillance network to block new types of unfair trading. The risk management function of the Central Counterparty Clearinghouse (CCP) will also be strengthened to ensure financial stability remains unshaken in any situation during this era of constant crises.

Chairman Son said, "Our capital market has grown into a world-class market both quantitatively and qualitatively," adding, "We will not be complacent with past achievements but will rise as a world-class advanced market by completing future challenges one by one."

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony was attended by Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea; Yoon Seok-youl, presidential candidate of the People Power Party; Yoon Jae-ok, chairman of the National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee and member of the People Power Party; Ko Seung-beom, chairman of the Financial Services Commission; Na Jae-cheol, chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association; Jung Gu-yong, chairman of the Korea Listed Companies Association; Jang Kyung-ho, chairman of the KOSDAQ Association; Kim Hwan-sik, chairman of the KONEX Association; and Onew of SHINee, representing individual investors from the MZ generation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.