Jung Eun-kyung: "National Pension Achieves Record-High 18.6% Return... Discussing Portfolio Improvements"

First Fund Committee Meeting of the Year
Over 80% of Profits Generated Domestically

The National Pension Service is holding its first Fund Management Committee meeting of the year to discuss improvement measures related to the domestic stock market and exchange rate conditions.

Jung Eun-kyung, Minister of Health and Welfare, is attending and speaking at the 1st National Pension Fund Management Committee meeting of 2026 held at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 26th.

On January 26, Jung Eun-kyung, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated in her opening remarks at the 1st National Pension Fund Management Committee meeting of 2026, held at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, "We intend to review the fund portfolio and discuss improvement measures in light of the unprecedented rise in the domestic stock market and the high exchange rate."

Following the announcement of the first fund committee meeting of 2026, there was speculation in the market regarding a possible increase in the proportion of domestic stocks. However, Minister Jung did not make any direct comments on this matter.

National Pension Achieves Record-High Return of 18.6% Last Year... Over 80% of Profits Generated Domestically

On the 26th, the KOSPI index opened at 4997.54, up 7.47 points from the previous trading day, as dealers were working in the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. On the same day, the KOSDAQ surpassed the 1000 mark for the first time in four years, and the won-dollar exchange rate started trading at 1446.1 won, down 19.7 won from the previous trading day.

The National Pension Service achieved a record-high return of 18.6% in 2025.

Minister Jung stated, "The exact return rate will be finalized in February, but the National Pension Service is expected to record its highest-ever return of 18.6% in 2025."

Explaining the background behind this record performance, Minister Jung said, "Over 80% of the returns were generated from domestic investments, while more than 20% were achieved from overseas investments."

She added, "The fund size is also expected to increase by 241 trillion won from the end of 2024, reaching 1,454 trillion won."

Minister Jung predicted that the National Pension Service would continue to achieve high returns this year as well.

She said, "Stock prices are rising in most countries, including Korea, due to the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts and the growth of industries related to artificial intelligence (AI)."

However, geopolitical risks and fluctuations in oil prices have been identified as risk factors for this year.

The Minister stated, "There are also concerns due to geopolitical risks arising in regions such as the Middle East and South America, as well as fluctuations in international oil prices. I ask the fund committee members to pay close attention to global market movements, and I urge the committee to closely monitor the situation."