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.

Hwang Seong-yeop (황성엽), head of the Korea Financial Investment Association, presented a 10-year blueprint for South Korea’s capital markets and five priority tasks on his 100th day in office. He plans to improve market structure by supporting innovative companies, overhauling retirement pensions, expanding wealth management, driving digital finance innovation and strengthening global competitiveness. He also highlighted possible passive inflows tied to WGBI inclusion and measures to improve foreign investor convenience.