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Dec 24, 2020
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Dec 23, 2020
- Government Unveils Plans for K-New Deal Fund
- The government announced its plans for the K-New Deal fund at the 23rd Meeting of the Central Economic Response Headquarters held on December 23.PUBLIC SECTOR-LED NEW DEAL FUNDFrom 2021 to 2025, the government aims to raise a total of KRW20 trillion public sector-led New Deal fund through matching investments from the private sector. The public sector funds in the amount of KRW7 trillion will be invested in the fund over the next five years, which will pump-prime private sector investments in the amount of KRW13 trillion.In 2021, the government aims to launch and operate a New Deal fund in the amount of up to KRW4 trillion, thirty-five percent of which will be funded by the public sector including fiscal spending of KRW510 billion and investments from the Korea Development Bank and Korea Growth Ladder Fund. The remaining portion of the fund will be financed with private sector investments from both institutional and retail investors. Retail investors will be allowed to invest via public offerings of privately placed funds, which will make up about five percent of the total private sector investments.INVESTMENT ALLOCATION PLANThe public sector-led New Deal fund in 2021 will be allocated according to policy priorities and the purpose of the investments. First, fund allocation will be based on a bottom-up approach, reflecting investment proposals from the private sector. The investment will be focused on six major New Deal sectors—data, network and artificial intelligence (DNA) sectors, future car green mobility sectors, eco-friendly green industries, New Deal services, SOC digital logistics and smart manufacturing smart farming sectors.At the same time, the fund will invest in New Deal sector businesses for their New Deal related projects on MAs, acquisition of technologies, RD, facility investment and business transformation projects. The proportion of investments on New Deal businesses will make up about seventy to ninety percent with about ten to thirty percent o
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Dec 22, 2020
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Dec 22, 2020
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Dec 21, 2020
- FSC Chairman Reviews Policy Response to COVID-19 & Discusses Next Year's Financial Policy
- FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo held a meeting via teleconference on December 21 to assess the implementation of the COVID-19 financial support programs and discuss the 2021 financial policy direction.At the meeting, Chairman Eun stated that the effective provision of the COVID-19 financial support packages was made possible due to close cooperation from all financial sectors, which also helped to create the right conditions for an economic rebound. As a result, out of the KRW175 trillion-plus stimulus programs, about 76 percent of the first phase emergency loan program for small merchants was provided within the first two months and some KRW32.5 trillion in special lending support for SMEs and middle market enterprises was provided in excess of the original target amount of KRW29.1 trillion. Since April, the financial authorities, local lenders and other relevant institutions were able to systematically respond to the crisis by holding financial risk assessment meetings thirty-one times.With regard to the protracted pandemic situation and the next year’s financial policy direction, Chairman Eun stressed the importance of strict compliance with virus prevention measures and urged cooperation from all financial sectors. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to place burdens on small merchants and SMEs, Chairman Eun indicated his intention to focus on the vulnerable sectors.Chairman Eun also pledged to preemptively manage risks emanating from abundant market liquidities by preventing concentration of liquidities in high risk assets and promoting an orderly deleveraging.Finally, Chairman Eun called for financial institutions to take a leading role in the country’s transition toward a “first mover” economy in the post-pandemic era, highlighting the importance of their active participation in the government’s New Deal initiative and carbon neutral goal for 2050.* Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Dec 21, 2020
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Dec 21, 2020
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Dec 18, 2020
- Tech Financing Guildeline to Facilitate Effective Lending Support For Innovative SMEs
- The FSC announced the introduction of a new tech financing guideline, which outlines details about the specific target business sectors and relevant procedures of tech financing. The guideline will go into effect from January 2021.BACKGROUNDSince it was first introduced in January 2014, tech financing grew significantly as more banks and tech credit bureaus (TCBs) became interested in offering financing options to innovative SMEs based on their technological prowess and future growth potential. Until now, five tech credit bureaus and ten banks have been providing tech credit evaluation service using their own evaluation models. In order to strengthen the accountability and stability of tech financing and improve its qualitative standards, a guideline on tech financing has been established as follows.KEY DETAILS1) Setting up necessary infrastructure for tech financing- Require TCBs to set up a division specializing in tech financing and specify division members’ professional qualifications- Introduce a standardized TCB evaluation model to enhance consistency and stability- Establish an independent organization charged with inspecting the standard TCB evaluation model2) Providing support to SMEs with technological prowess and innovativeness- SMEs with innovative ideas in manufacturing, knowledge and content industries, tech-based environmental or construction sectors, new and renewable energy sectors, as well as those with proven records of technological prowess through patents, etc.3) Establishing clear procedures on tech financing- Provide specific guidelines on tech financing procedures for SMEs, banks, TCBs and Korea Credit Information Services- Make site inspections mandatory in principle with specific cases for exemption- Require tech credit evaluating institutions to set up internal inspection frameworks to ensure the appropriateness and fairness of their tech credit evaluation4) Recommending a set of professional rules and ethics for banks and TCBs- Promote
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Dec 17, 2020
- KoFIU Begins Operating Upgraded AML System
- The FSC announced that the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU) will begin to operate an upgraded anti-money laundering system from December 17, which will improve efficiency in its suspicious transaction report system, strengthen assessment and analysis capabilities and enhance information security.BACKGROUNDThe KoFIU analyzes suspicious transaction reports (STR) and currency transaction reports (CTRs) of financial companies and provide results to law enforcement agencies for detection and prevention of money laundering activities. It is a central AML infrastructure connecting about 6,000 reporting entities, eight law enforcement agencies and some twenty related administrative agencies. Since the system began to operate in 2002, the rising volume of reports it handles has placed increasing burdens on the system. To address this problem, the KoFIU started upgrading the system in May 2019, and after system development and a test run, the upgraded AML system began its operation on December 17, 2020.IMPROVEMENTS EXPECTATIONS(INCREASED EFFICIENCY IN STR SYSTEM) The upgraded AML system enables financial institutions to file STRs about three times more than that of the previous capacity. The KoFIU’s processing capacity has also increased about five times, guaranteeing a swift and secure transfer and processing of the rising volume of STRs.(STRENGTHENED ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS CAPABILITIES) The upgraded AML system utilizes machine learning technology in assessing and analyzing money laundering activities. By directly connecting KoFIU with other administrative agencies, it also greatly reduces the time it takes to gather necessary data from relevant institutions.(ENHANCED INFORMATION SECURITY) The upgraded AML system has been set up at the National Information Resources Service to ensure high levels of security and stable management.FURTHER PLANSThe authorities will work to ensure system stability and continue to effectively respond to money laundering schemes that are b
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Dec 16, 2020
- FSC Plans to Promote Role of Insurers in Healthcare Industry
- The FSC announced its plans to expand the role of insurance businesses in the provision of non-medical healthcare services on December 16. The FSC will work to improve relevant regulations through consultative body meetings on digital finance and by setting up a taskforce to prepare more detailed plans in the first half of 2021.BACKGROUNDHealthcare and insurance share a common denominator in offering security to individuals, although the functional linkage between the two has been severed due to restrictions in regulation and limitations in technology. However, with the advancement of technologies in the areas of Internet-of-Things, big data and platforms, a convergence between healthcare and insurance services is increasingly becoming available. Amid an aging society and higher prevalence of chronic diseases, the newly emerging healthcare industry has received growing attention. As such, the FSC plans to pursue a mid- to long-term strategy of promoting the role of insurers in the provision of non-medical healthcare services, which will contribute to the overall improvement in the healthcare system.KEY MEASURESI. ALLOW INSURERS TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO GENERAL PUBLICCurrently, insurance companies are allowed to provide non-medical healthcare services only to their own coverage subscribers, such as personal health data management and fitness assistance platform services, as indicated by the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This service provision will be extended to the general public with the expectation of promoting diversity and quality of healthcare services while lowering insurance premiums in the long run.II. IMPROVE RULES ON SUBSIDIARIES FOR INSURANCE BUSINESSESCurrently, insurance companies are permitted to own shares of subsidiaries in the areas prescribed by the Enforcement Decree of the Insurance Business Act. However, due to a lack of specific provisions, there exist legal uncertainties with respect to whether insurers are
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Dec 14, 2020
- FSC Chairman Holds Press Briefing and Discusses Policy Outline for Next Year
- FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo held a virtual press briefing on December 14 and discussed key policy plans for the next year.The following is a summary of Chairman Eun’s remarks.(LOOKING BACK TO 2020) In the wake of the pandemic declaration earlier this year, financial markets fell into turmoil temporarily. Contractions in economic activities put extra burdens on small merchants and self-employed business owners. Then, the KRW175 trillion-plus emergency support programs were introduced by the government to respond to the situation in a prompt and preemptive manner. As a result, the OECD forecast Korea’s 2020 economic growth to be the first among its member economies. In recent weeks, KOSPI has been setting record highs as well.This successful market turnaround was made possible due to the effectiveness of K-quarantine and economic response measures on top of strong corporate earnings performance. While focusing our attention on the COVID-19 crisis management, the FSC has also worked on financial innovation, consumer protection and fair economy measures this year. The revision to the Credit Information Use and Protection Act built foundations to develop data industry. The consultative body meetings on digital finance have focused on establishing an environment for fair competition between financial companies, fintechs and big techs. The Financial Consumer Protection Act is scheduled to go into effect next year and the newly passed legislation on the supervision of non-holding financial groups will help remove loopholes. In the meantime, however, the issue of large scale investor damages in the wake of redemption halts by some PEFs remains regrettable.(2021 FINANCIAL POLICY OUTLINE) The first policy task is overcoming the pandemic crisis. Overcoming the spread of the virus requires prompt treatment, preventive measures and development of vaccines. The COVID-19 financial policy requires a well-balanced functioning of financial support for the vulnerable sectors, financi
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Dec 14, 2020
- FSC Chairman Speaks about the Need to Strengthen Anti-Money Laundering Measures
- FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo presented commendations to those who contributed to the prevention of money laundering at an event held on December 14 and spoke about the need to strengthen AML capabilities.The following is a summary of Chairman Eun’s remarks.The Financial Action Task Force’s 2020 mutual evaluation report on Korea placed Korea’s AML regime on a par with that of some of the advanced economies. It is the result of close cooperation between the financial institutions, law enforcement agencies and financial authorities.Amid growing threats about the diversification and advancement of money laundering techniques, especially through digital finance, it is necessary to draw up plans to strengthen AML capabilities focusing on the following measures.First, the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU)’s investigation and analysis capabilities should be strengthened and its communication with law enforcement agencies expanded.Second, the AML supervision and inspection capabilities should be bolstered. With technological advancements and newly emerging industries, more and more business entities will be subject to AML compliance.Third, more professional personnel should be hired at the KoFIU for a more systematic human resources management and to improve the level of expertise. The need to increase international cooperation on AML, rising cases of suspicious transaction reports and growing numbers of entities being subject to AML compliance all require an improvement to the organizational capacity.In order to ensure an effective functioning of the AML regime, close cooperation is essential among all relevant institutions, including the financial institutions, KoFIU and law enforcement agencies.* Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Dec 10, 2020
- 5th Digital Finance Meeting Unveils Plans to Improve Rules and Regulations
- Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang held the 5th consultative body meeting on digital finance on December 10 and discussed ways to improve rules and regulations for an ‘upward leveling’ of financial regulations for financial institutions, fintechs and big techs alike, which will promote competition and innovation for all.VICE CHAIRMAN’S REMARKSAmid significant changes taking place in the financial industry, fintechs are growing rapidly, big techs are entering financial markets and traditional financial institutions are actively pursuing digital innovation. In this process, the existing regulatory regime has not been able to sufficiently take into account the changing digital environment. There also have been concerns about the lack of fair competition and the need to apply same regulations for same functions. As such, the competition has become fiercer with growing uncertainties about the future.To promote communication and cooperation between different market players, the consultative body meeting on digital finance was established on September 10. A series of meetings with different market players since then helped to collect diverse opinions and suggestions. With the goal of ‘upward leveling’ of financial regulations for financial institutions, fintechs and big techs alike, the FSC has prepared plans to level the playing field and take into account the needs of different market players.KEY SUGGESTIONSA total of forty out of sixty-two suggestions (65%) have been accepted on the issue of regulatory arbitrage and digital transition, with fifteen others pending for mid- to long-term review.I. REGULATORY ARBITRAGE ISSUE- Expand opportunities for banks to operate platform business- Allow credit card companies to operate one-stop payment service business- Establish rules to oversee big techs’ platform sales activities- Allow financial companies to invest in and own shares of fintechs- Make data provision for MyData more equitable for banks and electronic financial bu
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Dec 09, 2020
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Dec 09, 2020
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Dec 09, 2020
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Dec 09, 2020
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Dec 09, 2020
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Dec 09, 2020
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Dec 07, 2020
- FSC to Introduce Routine Inspection of Personal Data Protection at Financial Institutions
- The FSC unveiled its plans to introduce a routine inspection of personal data protection at financial institutions on December 4 to ensure consistency in data protection and improve accountability. The plans include establishing specific inspection standards according to the data lifecycle, providing feedbacks on a regular basis through Financial Security Institute and setting up self-inspection guidelines for financial institutions. The routine inspection on the performance of data protection is scheduled to go into effect on February 4, 2021.BACKGROUNDWith the availability of new technologies, data pseudonymization/anonymization, data convergence and so on, the process of monitoring and inspecting how financial institutions handle data protection needs improvements. In this regard, the following issues have been identified as problematic—(a) lack of specific inspection standards, (b) difficulty in carrying out a comprehensive and systematic inspection on more than 3,000 financial institutions and (c) lack of self-inspection guidelines for financial institutions. To address these issues, the FSC has drawn up the following measures.KEY MEASURESI. IMPROVE INSPECTION CRITERIA STANDARDSIn order to ensure a close inspection of the performance of data protection, specific inspection criteria will be established with 9 overall categories and 143 subcategories. The detailed inspection criteria will reflect the different stages of data lifecycle and will be measured in four levels—(a) compliant, (b) partially compliant, (c) not compliant and (d) not applicable.To guarantee a systematic management and monitoring of the newly available technologies, such as data pseudonymization/anonymization, data convergence and so on, a close inspection on the compliance status of technical and managerial data protection measures will be carried out. Financial institutions with outstanding performance and an accident-free status for a certain period will be awarded safety certification
