30 Trillion Won to Be Invested in National Growth Fund Next Year... 600 Billion Won Allocated for Citizen Participation Fund

The National Growth Fund, which will invest 150 trillion won in advanced strategic industries over five years, is set to manage more than 30 trillion won next year. Of this, 600 billion won will be allocated to a citizen participation fund that allows the general public to invest directly, while 800 billion won will be invested in an ultra-long-term technology investment fund that will provide funding to technology companies for over ten years.

The Financial Services Commission and related ministries announced the “2026 National Growth Fund Management Plan” on December 16, 2025. Next year, more than 30 trillion won from the National Growth Fund will be injected into advanced strategic industries. The Financial Services Commission stated that it will actively approve investments even if demand exceeds 30 trillion won, in order to maximize the initial support effect.

On the 11th, at the Industrial Bank of Korea in Yeouido, Seoul, key attendees including Eogwon Lee, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, Jeongjin Seo, Chairman of Celltrion, and Hyunju Park, Chairman of Mirae Asset, participated in the inaugural ceremony performance of the National Growth Fund Strategy Committee meeting. 2025.12.11 Photo by Dongju Yoon

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By industry, 6 trillion won will be invested in artificial intelligence (AI), 4.2 trillion won in semiconductors, and 3.1 trillion won in future vehicles and mobility. Through infrastructure projects such as power plants and AI data centers, as well as region-specific funds, more than 12 trillion won-40% of the total fund-will be allocated to regional areas.

The support will be provided through 3 trillion won in direct investments, 7 trillion won in indirect investments, 10 trillion won in infrastructure investments, and 10 trillion won in ultra-low interest loans. Direct investments involve participating in corporate capital increases or taking equity stakes in factory expansions. Current applications include capital increases for next-generation AI solution software developers, the establishment of special purpose companies (SPCs) for the AI robot ecosystem, and capital increases for small and medium-sized enterprises expanding their specialty gas plants for semiconductors.

Indirect investments will see the advanced fund and private capital (banks, pension funds, retirement pensions, etc.) jointly creating large-scale funds to make equity investments aligned with policy objectives. A 5.6 trillion won policy fund will focus on supporting large-scale projects. Both blind funds (70%) and project funds (30%) will be introduced to enable joint public-private participation in mega projects. The citizen participation fund, which allows the general public to invest directly, will be established with a scale of 600 billion won. Up to 20% of the subordinated tranche will be covered by government finances to buffer against loss risks. Details such as tax benefits will be separately announced in the first quarter of next year.

An “ultra-long-term technology investment fund” will also be newly established to invest in promising technology companies in advanced industries for more than ten years. Rather than relying on private investment, the share of funding from the Advanced Strategic Industry Fund will be increased to 75%, and the government will participate in up to 40% of the subordinated tranche to account for higher risks. Existing policy funds (such as the Innovation Growth Fund and Semiconductor Ecosystem Fund) will be consolidated and reorganized under the National Growth Fund. However, the Scale-Up Fund, which plays a key role in the growth stage of companies, will be newly established with a scale of 500 billion won.

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The 10 trillion won allocated to infrastructure investments will support the construction of infrastructure across the entire ecosystem. Current investment requests include the Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant wastewater reuse project, a floating solar power project to support the National AI Computing Center for advanced industries, and a district energy project for the semiconductor cluster. The 10 trillion won in ultra-low interest loans will provide long-term funding for large-scale facility investments and research and development (R&D) at government bond-level interest rates of 2-3%. If demand for funds is particularly high, private banks may also participate through syndicated loans.

Currently, a wide range of applicants-including large corporations, mid-sized and small businesses, and regional companies-have applied for support. The government plans to consider factors such as the potential for significant industrial ripple effects, the ability to enhance the overall competitiveness of the industrial ecosystem, and contributions to regional economic growth and job creation. Within this month, the government will appoint members to the Fund Management Deliberation Committee and hold the first meeting to finalize next year’s management plan. In addition, by the end of last month, the government had received over 100 investment requests totaling 153 trillion won, and is expected to soon select the “first investment destination.”

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