[The KOSPI 8,000 Era] Chairman Jeong Eun-bo: 'A New Starting Point Toward the Korea Premium'

As the KOSPI surpassed the 8,000 mark based on closing prices for the first time in history, Korea Exchange (KRX) Chairman Jeong Eun-bo defined this not as a finish line, but as a new starting point toward the 'Korea Premium era.'

Chairman Jeong made these remarks during a ceremony held at the KRX Seoul headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th, stating, "Just four months ago, a KOSPI of 5,000 felt unfamiliar, but today we have securely settled at the 8,000 level."

He emphasized, "KOSPI 8,000 carries significance beyond a simple index rise," adding that it is "a symbol of domestic and foreign investors' trust in our capital market." This index increase is interpreted as the result of capital market advancement policies—such as the revision of the Commercial Act, enhancement of corporate value, and expansion of market accessibility—receiving positive evaluations from investors. In particular, he attached great significance to the fact that major global investors have begun evaluating the Korean capital market as a 'premium market.'

Chairman Jeong stated, "It is time to prepare to leap into an advanced capital market based on trust and innovation. Corporations, the government, and the securities industry must pool their strengths, and the Korea Exchange will also fulfill its role to establish an advanced premium market."

■ Key Future Initiatives of the Korea Exchange The Korea Exchange plans to implement the following tasks without delay to establish an advanced premium market:

• Improvement of Market Infrastructure and Systems: Advancement of market infrastructure and the swift delisting of insolvent companies
• Investor Convenience and Growth Support: Supporting the listing of growth companies, extending trading hours, and shortening settlement cycles
• Preparation for the Future: Proactive responses to future capital market changes, such as the tokenization of stocks