By Kang Seung-woo
Following the revelation of its poor surveillance of troubled savings banks, the fundamental role of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) as the omnipotent regulator is being questioned.
The suggestion of pairing the FSS with the Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. (KDIC) in monitoring financial institutions is being given additional impetus. Empowering the KDIC with monitoring duties was pushed last year but nixed in the face of strong opposition from the FSS.
The FSS failed to prevent “illegal withdrawals” of a large amount of money from savings banks after business hours a day before the suspension of their operation.
“The FSS is the lone superintendant to brandish all supervisory power on financial players,” a Seoul-based economist said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity