South Korea\'s financial authorities expanded the scope of eased network separation rules for AI use to secondary financial institutions and electronic financial business operators. The number of firms to be selected rises to as many as 15, and eligibility thresholds are lowered. Selected institutions can use external AI and security SaaS after putting alternative controls in place. Industry expectations are mixed, with some firms cautious. Global fintech investment rose to $103.1 billion in the first half, with focus expected to shift to AI and financial infrastructure.

South Korea will allow Kosdaq-listed companies that fall short of the market capitalisation threshold to transfer their listing to the Konex market if they meet certain financial requirements, aiming to reduce market shock from tougher delisting rules. Authorities will also delay by six months a planned increase in the Kosdaq market-cap delisting threshold, pushing the implementation to July next year from January.