[New Year's Address] HF President Kim Kyunghwan: "We Will Enhance Public Trust Through Expanding Inclusive Finance and AI Transformation"

2026 New Year's Address

Kim Kyunghwan, President of the Korea Housing Finance Corporation (HF), expressed his commitment in the 2026 New Year's address to actively implement "robust inclusive finance" that leaves no citizen behind. He outlined plans to strengthen housing finance services tailored to consumer needs, drive digital innovation using artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure rigorous safety and trust-based management, thereby further reinforcing HF's role as a leading policy finance institution.

In his New Year's address released on December 31, President Kim stated, "We will move away from a supplier-centric mindset and provide housing finance services that people can tangibly experience," emphasizing, "We will focus all our efforts on realizing inclusive finance that truly benefits people's lives."

First, he announced plans to operate policy mortgages more precisely so they can more effectively support not only homeownership for ordinary citizens and genuine demand-side buyers, but also financially vulnerable groups. In particular, he pledged to actively develop customized, so-called "targeted" housing finance support measures for consumers and housing developers in areas with declining populations outside the capital region and other regions with poor housing conditions.

He also presented plans to introduce new housing guarantee products in response to changes in the rental market environment. In addition, he outlined intentions to improve the reverse mortgage system so that more citizens can use it as a stable means of securing their retirement, thereby promoting housing stability for low-income groups and contributing to revitalizing local economies.

He also unveiled a blueprint for digital transformation. President Kim said that, based on the "AI Transformation (AX) Strategy," HF will pursue intelligence across all work processes and significantly enhance customer convenience by upgrading non-face-to-face channels. He explained that differentiated digital innovation will simultaneously improve both the accessibility and efficiency of housing finance services.

However, he stressed that "trust" is a prerequisite for digital innovation. President Kim reiterated the importance of thorough risk management and personal information protection, stating, "Trust, the lifeblood of finance, is built on safety." He added, "If system failures, data leaks, or safety incidents occur, the trust we have built can collapse in an instant," urging employees to establish a flawless information security system and rigorous safety management.

He also expressed his intention to expand HF's role in the global financial market. President Kim declared that HF will leverage its global network to produce tangible results in international exchanges and successfully issue green covered bonds, aspiring to become a leading institution in global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) finance.

Concluding his New Year's address, President Kim emphasized, "Let us work together to realize happiness in housing for the people, based on the 'HF spirit' of mutual understanding, fulfilling our responsibilities, and embracing new challenges without hesitation."