Franklin Templeton Jeonju Office Opens... Strengthening Cooperation with National Pension Service

Chairman Kim Taehyun (right) and Jenny Johnson, Chairwoman of Franklin Templeton, are shaking hands after their meeting. [Photo by National Pension Service]

[Asia Economy Reporter So-yeon Park]Global major asset manager Franklin Templeton plans to open a liaison office in Jeonju in the first half of this year to strengthen cooperation with the National Pension Service (NPS).

According to the NPS on the 12th, Kim Tae-hyun, the chairman of the National Pension Service, received a courtesy visit from Jenny Johnson, chairwoman of Franklin Templeton, and her delegation in the morning, and exchanged views on the global economy and financial markets.

At the meeting, Franklin Templeton announced its plan to open a liaison office in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, where the NPS headquarters is located, during the first half of 2023.

The Franklin Templeton liaison office will be responsible for tasks such as market and status surveys and communication related to the NPS.

Additionally, it is expected to contribute to the development of the financial industry and local community in the Jeonbuk region.

The NPS has entrusted Franklin Templeton with asset management since 2001 and currently delegates management across various asset classes including equities, bonds, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Franklin Templeton is one of the world’s leading asset managers. With over 1,300 investment professionals across more than 30 countries, it manages a total of USD 1.4 trillion in asset classes such as equities, bonds, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure.

Chairman Kim Tae-hyun said, “Through the transfer of Franklin Templeton’s advanced financial know-how, we hope to contribute to the development of Korea’s capital market and strive to improve the performance of the National Pension’s entrusted assets. We also ask that the opening of the Jeonju office serve as an opportunity to strengthen communication with the NPS and contribute to the development of the local community in Jeollabuk-do, where the NPS is located.”

Chairwoman Jenny Johnson also expressed, “Korea is a key market for Franklin Templeton in the Asia-Pacific region and offers us great opportunities. We are pleased to open a liaison office in Jeonju. Our clients are at the center of everything we do, and this new office will help enhance our capabilities in Korea while strengthening service and cooperation with long-standing clients like the National Pension Service.”