South Korean brokerages are stepping up shareholder returns as the industry enjoys a boom, with mid-sized firms increasingly raising dividends. Securities companies are announcing larger payouts ahead of regular shareholders’ meetings later this month. LS Securities, Hanyang Securities, Daol Investment & Securities and others disclosed higher dividends and payout ratios. The shift is seen as tied to the government’s corporate value-up policy and a push to strengthen shareholder returns, as well as tax benefits from separate taxation of dividend income introduced this year.

Toss Securities said on Wednesday it has joined the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency-led relay campaign to eradicate illegal gambling among teenagers. The nationwide effort, launched in March last year, aims to raise awareness of the seriousness and risks of illegal cyber gambling targeting teenagers and to spread the importance of prevention across society. Toss Securities joined the campaign on a recommendation from Hyundai Motor Securities CEO Bae Hyung-keun.