Korea’s leading banking executives will focus on boosting global investor confidence at the 2025 APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The event, gathering over 1,700 business leaders from 21 nations, aims to strengthen economic cooperation and highlight Korea’s expanding financial presence.
The heads of the nation’s four major financial groups — KB, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori — will attend the summit. Their shared goal is to expand global investor confidence and increase international exposure for Korea’s financial industry. KB Financial Group Chairman Yang Jong-hee, Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong, Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, and Woori Financial Group Chairman Yim Jong-yong will represent their organizations.
They will also be joined by KB Kookmin Bank CEO Lee Hwan-ju and Woori Bank CEO Jung Jin-wan. The APEC CEO Summit will feature influential speakers, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, AWS CEO Matt Garman, and Citi CEO Jane Fraser. Consequently, Korean executives expect valuable opportunities to engage with top global investors and industry leaders.
Recently, Korean financial firms have faced growing domestic challenges. For instance, government restrictions on household lending and sluggish stock prices have limited growth. Therefore, expanding overseas operations has become essential for securing long-term profitability.
Currently, foreign investors hold significant shares in Korea’s financial institutions. KB Financial reports 77.2 percent foreign ownership, Hana 68.2 percent, Shinhan 59.9 percent, and Woori 48 percent. These figures reflect strong global investor confidence in the Korean market.
To maintain momentum, financial leaders have intensified international outreach. During the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in October, the four chairmen held separate investor relations sessions. They emphasized Korea’s “productive finance” initiative, which encourages corporate investment over real estate development.
In addition, Chairmen Jin and Ham joined President Lee Jae Myung’s delegation to New York in September. The trip aimed to promote Korea’s financial competitiveness and strengthen relationships with key investors.
Industry experts believe the APEC summit will enhance Korea’s financial reputation worldwide. According to one senior official, the chairmen plan to “analyze global market trends and expand vital international networks.”
Ultimately, the focus on global investor confidence underscores Korea’s ambition to become a central financial hub in Asia.
