Major South Korean financial holding companies are on edge ahead of regular annual general meetings this month as financial authorities press for governance overhauls, including improved CEO reappointment procedures and stronger board independence. Reappointment votes for several chairmen, outside director appointments and articles-of-association changes are on agendas. Shareholder-return plans, including using capital reserves for dividends, will also be voted on. A debate over adopting a shareholder-nominated director system has also emerged.

South Korea’s talks on a Digital Assets Framework Act are in final coordination, but disagreements persist over limits on major shareholders at digital asset exchanges. A compromise to broaden stablecoin issuers beyond banks was prepared, yet the bill was excluded from a March 19 party-government meeting as market volatility pushed schedules back. Regulators also imposed a six-month partial business suspension and a 36.8 billion won fine on Bithumb for alleged violations.