Market expectations and concerns are colliding over a retail investor version of South Korea\'s National Growth Fund set to launch in May. The product will raise money from the public to invest in 12 strategic advanced industries and offers income deductions and preferential tax treatment on dividend income. Critics point to a five-year lock-up, liquidity burdens and questions over whether benefits will skew to wealthy investors. Concerns also include potential mis-selling and uncertain returns and dividend rules.

Woori Financial Group held an April council meeting on financing for advanced strategic industries, chaired by Chairman Lim Jong-ryong (임종룡), to review first-quarter results and second-quarter tasks for its 80 trillion won Future Shared Growth Project. Participants agreed to speed up productive finance amid rising external uncertainty. The group also outlined inclusive finance measures, including loan rate caps and interest relief, and plans to complete a groupwide platform in May.