Monami Surpasses Delisting Crisis Thanks to Consumer Support... President's Handwritten Letter of Appreciation Draws Attention

Market Cap Fell to 24.8 Billion Won, Rebounded to 40.5 Billion Won
"Let's Protect the National Brand"
Product Purchase Proofs and Investment Movement Spread

Monami, a stationery company that once faced concerns over maintaining its stock market listing, has achieved a dramatic rebound, buoyed by the online movement to support domestic brands. In response, President Song Jaehwa of Monami drew attention by delivering an official handwritten letter of appreciation.

On July 11, President Song stated in his handwritten letter of appreciation, “I am deeply moved and feel a tremendous sense of responsibility as I witness the wave of support for Monami spreading online,” adding, “The encouragement and trust shown by all of you, even during difficult times, have become a tremendous source of strength that cannot be exchanged for anything else.”

He continued, “Thank you for proving that the more than 60 years we have walked together have not been in vain,” and added, “We will repay your support with even better products and genuine quality.”

Monami's stationery products (left) and handwritten thank-you letter from President Song Jaehwa. Screenshot from Monami website

Previously, the Korea Exchange had promoted a phased reform to strengthen the market capitalization criteria for maintaining listings, raising concerns that long-listed companies with low market capitalizations could be subject to delisting reviews. Monami was cited as a representative example. In fact, Monami’s market capitalization fell to 24.8 billion won in May, dropping below the 30 billion won threshold required to maintain its listing.

Subsequently, posts such as “We must protect national brands like Monami” and “Let’s support by purchasing products and investing for the long term” spread across online communities and social networking services (SNS).

This wave of support was also reflected in the stock price. On July 10, Monami closed at 2,145 won, up 25.66% from the previous trading day. Its market capitalization increased to 40,534,720,000 won, once again surpassing the listing maintenance standard.

Market observers see this as a rare case where the actions of consumers and investors, who resonated with the brand’s history and symbolism despite no clear improvement in business results or announcement of a major new business, drove the stock price higher. This case also demonstrates that, in addition to a company’s performance, factors such as social trust and brand equity are being recognized once again as important elements in investment decisions.

Monami started in 1963 as Gwangshin Chemical Industries and changed its name to Monami in 1974. The ‘Monami 153’ ballpoint pen, first introduced in 1960, has achieved cumulative sales of several billion units, establishing itself as a leading domestic writing instrument. It has grown into an iconic brand spanning generations, earning the nickname “the nation’s ballpoint pen.”

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