Korea Microfinance Association Holds 2026 New Year Meeting

Chairman Jung Sungwoong: "A New Leap Forward as a Mainstream Financial Institution"

The Korea Microfinance Association announced that it held the 2026 Microfinance New Year Meeting at the Samjung Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on January 22.

Seongwoong Jeong, Chairman of the Korea Microfinance Association, delivers the New Year's address at the '2026 Microfinance New Year Meeting' held on the 22nd. Korea Microfinance Association

Member companies of the association and industry officials gathered to share the future vision of the microfinance market and to honor outstanding member companies in inclusive finance for the previous year.

The first part of the event featured a special lecture by Sohn Byungdoo, former Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Commission.

Former Vice Chairman Sohn presented the future direction of finance, focusing on the evolution of financial services and the background of digital transformation, under the theme of the "Era of Digital Financial Platforms."

He emphasized the need for the microfinance industry to utilize technology and pursue innovation in line with current trends in order to differentiate itself from illegal private lending, which strongly resonated with the attendees.

The second part of the event included an awards ceremony for outstanding member companies. The Grand Prize for Inclusive Finance, awarded by the association, went to A-One Microfinance Capital.

A-One Microfinance Capital received high marks for its contributions to inclusive finance, complaint resolution, social contribution activities, training and education, and industry involvement.

Jung Sungwoong, Chairman of the Korea Microfinance Association, stated, "We will go beyond the discrimination and prejudice faced by the association and usher in the 'Era of Everyday Finance,' reestablishing ourselves as a mainstream financial institution that serves as the last resort for low-credit and vulnerable borrowers."