Lee Chanjin Urges Kiwoom Securities to Provide Effective On-Site Venture Capital Supply

by Cho Seulkina

Published 24 Nov.2025 14:30(KST)

"What matters more than numerical investment figures is the on-site, field-driven supply of venture capital that actually helps companies grow." Lee Chanjin, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, reiterated the need for venture capital supply during his visit to Kiwoom Securities, which recently received an additional license for issuance notes.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service, on November 24, Lee visited the Kiwoom Securities headquarters in Yeouido in the afternoon to check the company's preparations for the short-term finance business (issuance notes) and to review major issues, including plans for supplying venture capital.

He observed a demonstration of the non-face-to-face subscription process for issuance notes via mobile devices and personally examined whether investor protection measures and procedures were adequately established in the non-face-to-face subscription process. He also held a video meeting with the CEO of a venture company that received venture capital investment from Kiwoom Securities, listening to opinions on the challenges faced by venture companies on the ground and the need to expand the supply of venture capital.

Lee Chanjin, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, is delivering opening remarks at the "Financial Supervisory Service Governor-Research Institute Heads Meeting" held on September 23, 2025, at the Korea Financial Investment Association in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

This visit followed the Financial Services Commission's recent decision to designate Kiwoom Securities as a comprehensive financial investment business operator (with assets exceeding 4 trillion won) and to grant approval for its short-term finance business. On the day of the commission's decision and the following day, the Financial Supervisory Service also summoned executives from Kiwoom Securities and other related companies to emphasize the following: fulfillment of venture capital supply, establishment of a preventive investor protection system, and strengthening of soundness management.

During his visit to Kiwoom Securities, Lee stated, "Kiwoom Securities, having started as a venture-based securities firm, has been closer than anyone to witnessing the growth of innovative companies. I ask that you leverage this strength to lead by example in supplying effective, on-site venture capital."

He added, "The complete sale of financial products does not begin at the point of sale, but rather from the product design stage. The most robust investor protection measure to prevent incomplete sales in advance is to rigorously self-verify by asking, 'Is this a product I can sell to my own family?'"

Additionally, regarding soundness management and IT stability, he requested that the company secure a constant risk management system and sufficient capital buffers, while also expanding IT investments to prevent system failures and strengthen cybersecurity.

In response, Kiwoom Securities expressed its commitment to actively expand the supply of venture capital and strengthen its role as a responsible investor contributing to the creation of a growth ladder for innovative companies. The company also plans to continuously increase its IT investment, with expenditures set at 30 billion won this year, 45 billion won in 2026, and 50 billion won in 2027.

The Financial Supervisory Service announced that it will continue to monitor the status of venture capital supply by financial investment companies and will identify and pursue necessary institutional improvements, such as rationalizing capital regulations related to venture capital supply.