[2023 Alternative Investment Forum] Alternative Investment as a New Investment Opportunity

Seo Won-ju, CIO of the National Pension Service, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 1st Asia Economy Alternative Investment Forum held on the 4th at Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty in the global financial markets has increased, making alternative investments that complement traditional assets such as stocks and bonds increasingly important. In response, Asia Economy held the "1st Asia Economy Alternative Investment Forum" on the 4th at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido under the theme "Global Alternative Investment Issues and Asset Allocation Strategies," providing an opportunity to explore new investment opportunities through alternative investments. The forum also took an in-depth look at the rapidly changing domestic and international market conditions and the responses of major investment institutions.

The forum was attended by over 150 senior officials from the financial investment industry, including Seowon Joo, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the National Pension Service Fund Management Headquarters; Yoo Seok Seo, Chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association; Younggoo Ha, Chairman of Blackstone Korea; Kyotae Kim, Chairman of Samjong KPMG; Woonghwan Yoo, CEO of Korea Venture Investment Corp.; Mingyun Kang, Chairman of the Private Equity Fund (PEF) Management Council; and Geonsu Yoon, Chairman of the Korea Venture Capital Association, as well as representatives from securities firms, asset management companies, private equity funds (PEF), and venture capital (VC).

At the opening remarks, Hyunsang Soon, Chairman of Asia Economy, stated, "Since the COVID-19 endemic, financial markets have been shaken by high interest rate policies in major countries due to inflation, and with the overseas commercial real estate market becoming unstable, private equity funds, venture capital, and others are facing difficulties in raising new funds and exits." He added, "Experts unanimously agree that in times like these, new opportunities must be sought through various alternative investment assets such as private equity, private debt, real estate, and social overhead capital (SOC)." He continued, "We understand well that executing investments when everyone is shrinking back is no easy task, but having overcome several financial crises, we have also learned that investing to find new opportunities during difficult market times leads to greater results." He further explained the forum's purpose, saying, "The Asia Economy Alternative Investment Forum will serve as a platform to explore the current domestic and international market conditions, how major investment institutions are responding to increasing market volatility, and where they are finding new investment opportunities."

Seowon Joo, CIO of the National Pension Service Fund Management Headquarters, said in his congratulatory remarks, "The global financial market continues to face inflation risk and uncertainties regarding monetary policy, making it difficult to respond to the market with traditional assets such as stocks and bonds alone. Therefore, the importance of alternative investments in portfolio management has grown." He added, "The National Pension Service plans to continue expanding its private debt sector, which is expected to play the role of a capital provider in corporate investment activities, strengthen its alternative investment capabilities, and enhance investment efficiency by building strategic partnerships with global top-tier asset managers."

On the 4th, attendees including Hyun Sang-soon, Chairman of Asia Economy, are taking a commemorative photo at the 1st Asia Economy Alternative Investment Forum held at Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. From the front row, left to right: Woo Byung-hyun, CEO of Asia Economy; Lee Chang-hwan, CEO of Align Partners Asset Management; Kang Sung-bu, CEO of KCGI; Hwang Hyun-soon, President of Kiwoom Securities; Yoon Geon-soo, Chairman of Korea Venture Capital Association; Seo Won-joo, Head of Fund Management at National Pension Service; Hyun Sang-soon, Chairman of Asia Economy; Seo Yoo-seok, Chairman of Korea Financial Investment Association; Ha Young-gu, Chairman of Blackstone Advisors Korea; Kim Dae-hyung, President of Marston Investment Management; Choi Seung-ho, Head of IB2 Division at NH Investment & Securities; Son Chang-bae, CEO of Keystone PE; Park Sung-won, Vice President of KB Securities; Ahn Hyo-jun, Advisor at Samjong KPMG; Han Jong-seok, Director of Financial Investment at Police Mutual Aid Association. From the second row, left to right: Gil Ki-kwan, Head of Financial Advisory Division at Deloitte Anjin; Park Nam-soo, Head of Strategy and Financial Advisory at EY Hanyoung; Kim Soo-min, CEO of UCK Partners; Park Dae-jun, Head of Deal Division at Samil PwC; Lee Sung-young, Head of Asset Management at Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association; Lee Hoon, Vice President of Korea Investment Corporation; Ma Young-min, CEO of Asia Economy; Lee Hyun-seung, President of KB Asset Management; Kim Sang-tae, President of Shinhan Investment Corp.; Yoo Woong-hwan, CEO of Korea Venture Investment; Kim Young-ho, CEO of IMM PE; Bang Chang-jin, Head of PF Group at Korea Investment & Securities; Kim Hee-song, President of Shinhan Asset Management; Joo Yong-guk, Head of IB2 Division at Mirae Asset Securities. From the third row, left to right: Kim Kyo-tae, Chairman of Samjong KPMG; Shin Beom-soo, Editor-in-Chief of Asia Economy; Kang Min-gyun, Chairman of PEF Operators Association; Kim Kwang-il, CEO of MBK Partners; Jung Il-bu, CEO of IMM Investment; Heo Jang, Business Director of Korea Local Government Officials Mutual Aid Association; Lee Do-yoon, Head of Asset Management at Yellow Umbrella Fund; Baek Joo-hyun, Head of Fund Management at Government Employees Pension Service; Lee Sang-hee, Director of Financial Investment at Military Mutual Aid Association; Lee Kyu-hong, Head of Fund Management at Private School Teachers’ Pension; Kim Jae-min, Vice President of Han & Company; Kang Sung-beom, Vice President of Mirae Asset Securities. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In the subsequent special lecture, Janghyun Kim, Professor at the School of Global Convergence at Sungkyunkwan University, explained in detail various AI-related matters that investors should pay attention to under the theme "Essentials to Know in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)." Following this, Beomrin Cho, Senior Deputy Head of Alternative Investments at Korea Investment Corporation (KIC), presented on "Global Alternative Investment Trends and KIC's Asset Allocation Strategy in the High-Interest Rate Era"; Yongguk Joo, Head of IB2 Division at Mirae Asset Securities, spoke on "Factors Creating Real Estate Alternative Investment Opportunities Amid High Interest Rates"; and Ilbu Jung, CEO of IMM Investment, gave a presentation on "Global and Korean Secondary Markets."

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