KB Kookmin Bank said on Tuesday it will provide special debt relief worth 278.5 billion won for 12,433 financially vulnerable borrowers. The plan combines reductions in principal for short- and mid-term delinquent claims with the cancellation of long-term delinquent debt. Eligible borrowers include socially vulnerable groups with loans in arrears for more than 5 years and principal of 50 million won or less, and those subject to debt adjustment under the Personal Debtor Protection Act.

Lee Chan-jin (이찬진), head of South Korea\'s Financial Supervisory Service, met chief executives of 20 domestic banks and called for stronger consumer protection and internal controls. He urged stable management of household debt and steps to channel bank funds into productive sectors. He also told banks to reassess high-risk product sales practices amid ongoing controversy over Hong Kong H-index equity-linked securities. Lee urged proactive governance reforms and said oversight would shift to a preventive, consumer-protection-focused approach.