FSC Chairman Lee Eogwon: "Finance Will Lead Korea's Economic Leap Forward"

New Year's Address at the Pan-Financial New Year's Gathering
Lee Chanjin, FSS Governor: "Shift to Preemptive Consumer Protection"

Lee Eogwon, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, stated, "This year must mark the beginning of a great national leap forward and growth for all," and urged financial professionals to "embrace the spirit of Baekrak Sangma so that finance can lead Korea's economic leap." Lee Chanjin, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, called for a shift in the financial consumer protection paradigm toward a focus on prevention.

At the 'Pan-Financial New Year's Gathering' held at Lotte Hotel Seoul on the afternoon of January 5, Chairman Lee said, "The Financial Services Commission will accelerate the 'Great Financial Transformation' to lead Korea's economic leap forward." He presented three directions: productive finance, inclusive finance, and trusted finance.

Chairman Lee announced plans to deliver tangible results in productive finance this year, stating, "Through the National Growth Fund, where the government, financial sector, and industry join forces, we will boldly invest in advanced industries that will shape the future of the Korean economy." He also pledged to support the financial industry itself in developing into an artificial intelligence (AI)-based advanced sector and to foster a sound digital asset ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of revitalizing the capital market, strengthening trust in the KOSDAQ market, and embedding shareholder protection principles.

Lee Eokwon, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the '2026 Securities and Derivatives Market Opening Ceremony' held at the Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul on January 2, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun

For inclusive finance, he announced plans to reform policy-based financial products for low-income groups and to institutionalize financial companies' contributions. He added, "We will improve debt adjustment and collection practices so that finance can truly help people's lives and stand with them in times of real difficulty." He also promised to closely monitor potential risks such as household debt and real estate project financing (PF), and to proactively implement prepared market stabilization measures to safeguard financial stability.

Meanwhile, Lee Chanjin, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, once again emphasized financial consumer protection. He said, "I ask that the paradigm of financial consumer protection shift from 'post-facto relief for a small number of victims' to 'preventive financial consumer protection.'" He continued, "I hope inclusive finance will be established as a sustainable management culture, not just a one-time support measure," and added, "Please pay special attention to activating productive finance, including expanding the supply of venture capital."