Finance minister vows efforts to boost foreign investors' access to Korean market
Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, center, attends a ceremony at the London Stock Exchange in London, Nov. 23, to mark the opening of the day's trading session at the market. Courtesy of Ministry of Economy and Finance
Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho has vowed to continue efforts to boost foreign investors' access to the Korean market and create favorable conditions for corporate investment, his office said Friday.
Choo made the remarks during a market opening ceremony at the London Stock Exchange on Thursday (local time), as he has been in London since Monday on a four-day trip to accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
It marked the first time that a Korean government figure attended the daily ceremony, it added.
"Korea will use new cooperation channels on economy and finance established following the summit to create favorable investment circumstances for companies and financial institutions of the two nations," Choo said in a speech.
He also introduced the country's efforts to attract offshore investors, such as allowing foreign companies' participation in the domestic foreign exchange market and pushing to extend the market operating hours.
Ahead of the ceremony, Choo held a meeting with David Schwimmer, CEO of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), and asked for his support for Korea's push to be included in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI).
Korea has been on the watchlist for a potential upgrade of its government bond market in the FTSE Russell's WGBI since September 2022.
In response, Schwimmer recognized Seoul's effort to join the WGBI and vowed to continue to pay attention to the issue, according to the ministry.
FTSE Russell is a subsidiary of the LSEG. (Yonhap)