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Jun Ji-hye

Korea Times Finance Reporter

Hello, I am Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at The Korea Times. I primarily cover financial authorities and write articles on a wide range of topics related to finance and capital markets. If you have any information to share, feel free to email me at jjh@koreatimes.co.kr, and I will review it carefully. I am committed to always doing my best to communicate with readers through high-quality articles.

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Banking & Finance

Car insurers face growing losses after heavy rains

More than 3,000 vehicles were reported to have been damaged by flooding over a five-day period due to heavy downpours that swept across the country last week, resulting in losses estimated at nearly 30 billion won ($22 million), according to industry officials Tuesday. They said the number is expected to rise further, as the scale of vehicle flood damage is higher than expected, making it inevitable for non-life insurers to face an additional increase in their vehicle insurance loss ratios. Data from the General Insurance Association of Korea shows that a total of 3,131 flood-damaged vehicles had been reported to 12 non-life insurance companies offering motor vehicle coverage between July 16 and 9 a.m. on July 21, following the heavy rainfall. The estimated losses amounted to about 29.6 billion won. "The scale of the damage is significant due to the many days of intense, prolonged rain. Since claims are still being filed, the figures are likely to rise," an official from the insurance industry said. What makes the situation more concerning is that the typhoon season has not even begun, s

Jul 22, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
Car insurers face growing losses after heavy rains
Policy

Korea set to raise stock transaction tax to offset declining tax revenue

The Lee Jae Myung government is expected to increase the securities transaction tax as it moves to roll back the tax-cut policies of the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration, government and industry officials said Monday. The securities transaction tax is levied regardless of whether the seller makes a profit. The proposed hike is seen as a measure to offset declining tax revenues following the failure to implement the financial investment income tax, which had been considered a key prerequisite for lowering the transaction tax. Previously, the Moon Jae-in administration had planned to introduce a financial investment income tax targeting realized gains and, to avoid double taxation, intended to gradually lower and eventually abolish the securities transaction tax. However, the implementation of the financial investment income tax was first delayed and then ultimately scrapped under the Yoon administration, prompting renewed calls to restore the previously reduced securities transaction tax. Currently, the securities transaction tax rate for KOSPI trades is significantly lowered, effecti

Jul 21, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
Korea set to raise stock transaction tax to offset declining tax revenue
Companies

Investor sentiment splits between Samsung, SK hynix over outlook

Foreign and domestic retail investors are showing a stark contrast in their semiconductor stock picks, with the former scooping up Samsung Electronics shares this month while the latter have been buying SK hynix, industry officials said Monday. The two firms' stock prices are also moving in opposite directions, with Samsung Electronics rising and SK hynix declining. According to the Korea Exchange, foreign investors purchased a net 1.88 trillion won ($1.4 billion) worth of Samsung Electronics shares from July 1 to 18. That more than doubles the 713 billion won they purchased in all of June. Foreign ownership in Samsung Electronics climbed back above the 50 percent mark to 50.19 percent, reaching that level for the first time since April 24, when it stood at 50 percent. On the other hand, foreign investors offloaded 301 billion won worth of SK hynix shares during the July 1-18 period. Domestic retail investors, meanwhile, showed the opposite trend, snapping up 1.23 trillion won worth of SK hynix shares, while selling 2.31 trillion won worth of Samsung Electronics shares over the same perio

Jul 21, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
Investor sentiment splits between Samsung, SK hynix over outlook
Banking & Finance

Art meets fintech: Nouveau Soleil pioneers financial future of art sector

The Korean art market continues to grapple with structural challenges stemming from information asymmetry and a lack of price transparency, as details regarding transaction parties and prices are rarely disclosed. Nevertheless, artworks are increasingly being recognized not only as objects of appreciation but also as assets used for inheritance, donations and investment. In line with this shift, the market has shown rapid growth. According to the report published by the Korea Arts Management Service, the total transaction volume of the domestic art market surged from 329 billion won ($238 million) in 2021 to 922.3 billion won in 2022, nearly a threefold increase in just one year. Regulatory changes are also underway. The Art Promotion Act, which took effect in July 2024, requires more systematic management and greater transparency in the operation of artworks, particularly within public institutions. As a result, demand is growing for tools that enable objective, data-driven valuation of artworks. In response to this trend, Korean startup Nouveau Soleil officially launched its platform,

Jul 19, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
Art meets fintech: Nouveau Soleil pioneers financial future of art sector
Companies

MBK, Young Poong secure key witness testimony in US over Korea Zinc's Igneo acquisition

Private equity firm MBK Partners and Young Poong stepped up their pressure on Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom by obtaining testimony from key executives based in the United States regarding the controversial high-priced acquisition of Igneo Holdings, the two companies said Friday. The MBK-Young Poong alliance, the largest shareholder of the world's largest zinc smelter, is currently locked in a fierce battle with Choi over management control. The alliance said that a district court in New York approved Young Poong's request on Wednesday (local time) for depositions from executives at Korea Zinc's U.S. subsidiary, PedalPoint Holdings. The ruling allows the alliance to obtain testimony from key figures involved in the controversial deal, including PedalPoint CFO, surnamed Ham, and a senior manager, surnamed Ha. MBK has claimed that Choi inflicted substantial financial harm on Korea Zinc by orchestrating the acquisition of Igneo, a financially insolvent waste management company based in the United States, at an inflated price of 580 billion won ($416 million) in 2022. When launching a tend

Jul 18, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
MBK, Young Poong secure key witness testimony in US over Korea Zinc's Igneo acquisition
Policy

Should Korea increase corporate taxes?

The debate over a corporate tax hike is reigniting, as Economy and Finance Minister nominee Koo Yun-cheol and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea are signaling support for placing a heavier tax burden on businesses, officials said Friday. At his confirmation hearing Thursday, Koo acknowledged concerns from ruling party lawmakers over the sharp decline in corporate tax revenue in recent years. He said he would "actively and comprehensively review" restoring the top corporate tax rate to 25 percent, reversing the cut made by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration in 2022 from 25 percent to 24 percent. "I will weigh considerations such as taxpayers' ability to pay and the broader economic impact," Koo said. He openly criticized the previous tax-cut policy, noting that corporate tax revenue had plunged by 40 percent from about 100 trillion won ($72 billion) in 2022 to little more than 60 trillion won last year. "The tax cuts were intended to spark a virtuous cycle of increased corporate investment, but instead, we are seeing a downturn in growth, consumption and investment," he said. The country's

Jul 18, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
Should Korea increase corporate taxes?
Policy

Ex-Meritz Fire CEO accused of insider trading over merger plan

Financial authorities are ramping up enforcement against individuals suspected of disrupting capital markets, following President Lee Jae Myung's warning of tough penalties for market manipulation, officials said Thursday. The Financial Services Commission (FSC), the country's top financial regulator, said that its Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has referred the former CEO of Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance to prosecutors for allegedly profiting from undisclosed merger information. The SFC also referred Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman of HYBE, the K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, to prosecutors for allegedly misleading investors during the company's initial public offering and gaining unlawful profits. During a meeting on Wednesday, the SFC decided to refer a former CEO-level official and another senior executive from Meritz Fire to the prosecution on charges of using nonpublic, material information. Referring suspects to prosecutors represents the harshest penalty available to financial authorities under the Capital Markets Act. They are accused of buying a significant amount of s

Jul 17, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
Ex-Meritz Fire CEO accused of insider trading over merger plan
Banking & Finance

SGI ransomware attack puts lax financial cybersecurity rules under scrutiny

Seoul Guarantee Insurance (SGI), Korea's largest comprehensive guarantee insurance firm, restored its core computer systems Thursday, four days after a suspected ransomware attack paralyzed its operations, the company said. However, criticism persists over the firm's inadequate cybersecurity measures, as it had failed to obtain key cybersecurity certifications, highlighting a lax approach to data protection, according to industry experts. It was revealed that SGI had not acquired the Information Security Management System (ISMS) or the Personal Information & Information Security Management System (ISMS-P) certifications, which assess whether an organization has established appropriate safeguards for information and data privacy. These certifications are issued by agencies such as the Korea Internet & Security Agency. Financial institutions in Korea are not legally required to obtain these certifications, and SGI had not pursued them voluntarily. The government is also facing backlash for failing to make such standards mandatory for the financial sector, despite the companies' handling of

Jul 17, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
SGI ransomware attack puts lax financial cybersecurity rules under scrutiny
Banking & Finance

From subway delays to pet accidents, insurers roll out quirky policies for everyday mishaps

Insurance companies are introducing unique customized coverage for everyday situations, such as subway delays and pet-related accidents, industry officials said Wednesday. Although these offerings generate limited immediate profit due to their low premiums, they serve as a strategic tool to attract younger consumers who may become loyal long-term policyholders, they said. This potential has prompted insurers to invest more in developing and expanding these innovative insurance plans. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance recently introduced a new policy that compensates commuters for subway delays in the Seoul metropolitan area. If a subway is delayed for over 30 minutes, the insurance provides coverage for alternative transportation expenses, such as taxi or bus fares, once a month, up to 30,000 won ($22). The policy costs only 1,400 won annually. To make a claim, policyholders need to submit their transit card number along with a receipt for the alternative transportation used. The claim is automatically processed and paid out immediately after the system confirms the delay. Kyobo Life Insura

Jul 17, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
From subway delays to pet accidents, insurers roll out quirky policies for everyday mishaps
Policy

Will activist funds gain more clout amid growing talks on mandatory treasury stock cancellation?

With Korea's political sphere actively discussing making the cancellation of treasury shares mandatory, attention is turning to whether the influence of activist funds, which have long advocated for such measures, will grow, industry officials said Wednesday. Repurchasing and canceling treasury shares typically reduces the total number of shares in circulation, which in turn helps boost stock prices. However, Korean companies have often been criticized for using treasury stocks not for cancellation but as a means to protect the management control of majority shareholders. This has drawn repeated objections from activist investors and minority shareholders. Since the new administration took office on June 4, momentum has been building around the proposal as part of broader shareholder-friendly reforms. According to industry insiders, Value Partners Asset Management, an activist fund, recently sent a shareholder letter to NICE Information & Telecommunication, calling for the cancellation of treasury shares. The fund criticized the company for allowing its stock to trade below book value wh

Jul 16, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
Will activist funds gain more clout amid growing talks on mandatory treasury stock cancellation?
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