Eokwon Lee: "Corporate Value Enhancement Disclosures Should Guide Corporate Management"

Eunbo Jung: "More High-Dividend Companies Join the Program"

Need for Tailored Disclosures for Special Listing Companies

Ten Outstanding Companies Recognized for Excellence

Eokwon Lee, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, stated on the 27th that disclosures of plans to enhance corporate value under the Value-Up (corporate value enhancement) program should go beyond being simple announcements and must become standard practice in corporate management.

Lee Okwon, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 2026 Excellence in Enhancing Corporate Value Awards Ceremony and Seminar held at KRX Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News

At the Excellent Companies for Enhancing Corporate Value Awards Ceremony and Seminar held at Korea Exchange's Seoul headquarters that day, Chairman Lee said, "It has already been two years since the launch of the corporate value enhancement plan disclosures, and during that time, changes in the market have been significant," adding, "Companies accounting for more than 80% of the total market capitalization have participated in these disclosures."

Lee continued, "Of course, there is still a way to go, but what is clear is that the market has already sensed the change and investors recognize companies that are taking action," and emphasized, "The important thing now is not just the expansion of the system, but making the enhancement of corporate value a matter of common sense in corporate management."

He explained, "The corporate value enhancement plan should not end as just another disclosure form," and added, "It should serve as a communication platform created by companies and shareholders, a key reference for investors to understand businesses, and a compass for boards and management to continuously assess capital efficiency and shareholder value."

Eunbo Jung, Chairman of Korea Exchange, remarked, "Recently, our capital market has set a new milestone despite uncertain internal and external conditions," and added, "KOSPI surpassed 8,000 points for the first time in history, and the Korean stock market has risen to 7th place globally in terms of market capitalization, backed by record-breaking growth."

Chairman Jung noted, "This achievement is the result of the government's policy support for capital market advancement, improved performance of our key industries such as semiconductors and defense, and the growing participation in the corporate value enhancement program," and continued, "In particular, as it marks the second anniversary of the program's launch by Korea Exchange, recognition of corporate value enhancement among both companies and the market is steadily spreading."

He added, "Disclosures are expanding across all industries on KOSPI and KOSDAQ, and the number of participating companies, especially among high-dividend firms, has increased significantly to 733. The Value-Up Index and the share prices of the companies making disclosures are outperforming the market average."

Jung Eunbo, Chairman of Korea Exchange, is delivering the opening speech at the 2026 Best Companies for Enhancing Corporate Value Awards Ceremony and Seminar held at KRX Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News

Jung-Young Kim, Deputy General Manager of the Management Support Division at Korea Exchange, stated in his keynote presentation, "We will strengthen tailored support to boost participation by KOSDAQ companies and small and medium-sized enterprises, and encourage the enhancement of undervalued companies' corporate value by publishing a list of low PBR (price-to-book ratio) companies," and added, "To realize the 'Korea Premium,' we will expand customized consulting for governance improvement and support stewardship code implementation checks so that institutional investors can actively engage in enhancing corporate value."

There were also suggestions that tailored disclosures for special listing companies and measures to prevent perfunctory disclosures are needed to vitalize Value-Up disclosures. Sohyun Kang, Head of the Capital Market Division at the Korea Capital Market Institute, said, "Currently, participation in corporate value enhancement plan disclosures by KOSDAQ companies is low, and there is a lack of tailored disclosure infrastructure for special listing companies." She emphasized, "For such companies, the disclosure system should be designed around long-term growth paths rather than financial performance, and a disclosure system reflecting industry characteristics should be established in connection with customized technology special listing systems."

Kang further explained, "To prevent perfunctory disclosures by companies, disclosures should focus not just on whether they are made, but on analyzing the causes of undervaluation, shareholder return policies, capital allocation strategies, and growth strategies," adding, "For companies not making disclosures, the reasons for non-participation and future plans should be explained to strengthen market discipline."

Meanwhile, Korea Exchange honored 10 companies that have contributed to spreading Value-Up culture through their efforts and outstanding achievements in enhancing corporate value over the past year. Kiwoom Securities and Korea Aerospace Industries received the Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Award. Coway, Korea Financial Group, and TCK were awarded the Chairman of the Financial Services Commission Award, while ST Pharm, Woori Financial Group, Korea District Heating Corporation, Hansol Chemical, and LG Innotek received the Chairman of Korea Exchange Award.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.