'Financial Day' Kim Byunghwan: "We Must Reflect on Whether Finance Is Innovative Enough"

Total 191 Points Awarded in 3 Categories
Awards Presented to Kim Jong-kook, Lee Junho, Chae Soobin, and Others

Kim Byung-hwan, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, stated, "Financial innovation must continuously advance in line with the expanding scope of savings."

In a congratulatory message delivered on the 29th to commemorate the 9th Financial Day, Chairman Kim said, "Criticism regarding the recent increase in bank interest income ultimately raises the question of whether finance is sufficiently innovative," and emphasized, "All financial professionals should reflect on whether they are complacent within the fences created by past practices or systems."

Financial Day is a statutory commemorative day established to raise public interest in finance and encourage those working in the financial sector, marking its 9th anniversary this year. Approximately 500 people attended the ceremony held at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul, including Kim Byung-hwan, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission; Lee Bok-hyun, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service; awardees for financial development merit and their families; and representatives and employees of financial associations and companies. During the ceremony, a total of 191 awards were presented in the categories of ‘Innovative Finance,’ ‘Inclusive Finance,’ and ‘Savings & Investment.’

The list of awardees included celebrities Kim Jong-kook, Lee Junho, and Chae Soo-bin (real name Bae Soo-bin). Kim Jong-kook was recognized for raising public awareness about the importance of savings and spreading financial knowledge through broadcasting. Lee Junho was honored for his continuous volunteer work and various donations through World Vision. Chae Soo-bin was acknowledged for her sharing activities in various social fields, including serving as a promotional ambassador for the Community Chest of Korea and participating in donations for pet protection.

The Iron Tower Industrial Medal (Innovative Finance) was awarded to Lee Geun-hwan, Head of Planning and Management at Korea Development Bank, and the Order of Civil Merit, Peony Medal (Inclusive Finance) was awarded to Kim Dae-hwan, Director of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency. Lee Geun-hwan was recognized for his contribution to leading the establishment of programs fostering advanced strategic industries and innovative growth industries, while Kim Dae-hwan was acknowledged for his efforts in providing policy-based financial services to vulnerable groups, debt adjustment, employment support, and enhancing welfare for low-income citizens.

The commendations were awarded to Kim Won-geol, IT Strategy Director at Korea Money Brokerage Corporation in the Innovative Finance category; Shin Sung-sik, Deputy General Manager at NongHyup Bank, and Lim Jeong-eun, Deputy General Manager at Chungbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation in the Inclusive Finance category; and Park Se-hyun, a teacher at Chungnam Samsung High School in the Savings & Investment category.

The Prime Minister’s Commendation was given to 25 individuals and one organization, including Kim Gap-je, Senior Investigator at the Financial Supervisory Service in the Innovative Finance category; Kim Jeong-hoon, Deputy General Manager at the Korea Senior Human Resources Development Institute in the Inclusive Finance category; Kim Myung-ja, CEO of SL Electronics, and celebrity Lee Junho in the Savings & Investment category.

The Chairman of the Financial Services Commission’s Commendation was awarded to 115 individuals and 9 organizations, including Park Chan-jae, Senior Officer at the Korea Insurance Development Institute in the Innovative Finance category; Seo Yong-sook, Executive Director of the Credit Union in the Inclusive Finance category; and the 1004 Environmental Guardians Volunteer Group and celebrity Bae Soo-bin (stage name Chae Soo-bin) in the Savings & Investment category.