[2025 Audit] Chairman Joo Byungki of the Fair Trade Commission: "Considering Easing Separation of Industrial and Financial Capital to Promote AI and Semiconductor Investment"

Joo Byungki, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, has stated that he will consider the possibility of easing regulations on the separation of industrial and financial capital in order to support large-scale investments in advanced strategic industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors.

Joo Byungki, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, is reporting on business affairs at the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee audit of the Fair Trade Commission held on the 14th. 2025.10.14 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee audit on the 14th, Chairman Joo responded to a question from Assemblyman Kim Sanghoon of the People Power Party by saying, "We will take into account both the original intent of the separation of industrial and financial capital system and the need to promote investment in advanced strategic industries such as AI and semiconductors. We will closely communicate with the relevant industries and review the necessity of easing regulations in a balanced manner."

On the same day, Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "Since the AI and semiconductor industries require massive amounts of capital, there are increasing cases in major countries such as the United States and Canada where industry and finance cooperate to create investment funds. However, in Korea, the principle of separation of industrial and financial capital under the Fair Trade Act makes it difficult to launch industry-finance cooperation funds." He added, "Since President Lee Jaemyung mentioned the possibility of easing the separation of industrial and financial capital during his meeting with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, there is a need to consider institutional improvements, at least limited to advanced industries."

In response, Chairman Joo stated, "Globally, investment in advanced strategic industries is becoming increasingly important from a national strategy perspective. Since the introduction of the corporate venture capital (CVC) system in 2020, it is already in operation. Therefore, we recognize the need to review reasonable improvements to the separation of industrial and financial capital regulations under the current holding company system."