[DigitalToday reporter Lee Ji-young] Single-stock leveraged ETFs and ETNs using "Samjeon Nix" (Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix) as underlying assets were listed, making the semiconductor concentration in South Korea's stock market more pronounced.

Financial authorities urged investors to exercise caution even before the listing, saying the structure of investing double in an individual stock could also magnify losses. The products were classified as high risk, with requirements including two hours of pre-training and a basic deposit of 10 million won. Brokerages moved to secure investor demand ahead of the launch by highlighting liquidity provision and structures to reduce trading costs.

On the first day of listing, turnover in 16 single-stock leveraged ETF products tied to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix topped 10 trillion won, drawing market attention.

Leveraged products linked to SK Hynix posted double-digit gains, and some jumped as much as 60 percent in early trading.

• Single-stock leveraged products post 10 trillion won turnover on first day, deepening KOSPI semiconductor concentration • Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leveraged ETFs set to launch; Mirae Asset highlights liquidity and fee competitiveness • Samsung Asset Management highlights "liquidity" amid controversy over highest total fees for single-stock leveraged ETFs • Ahead of listing of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leveraged products, authorities say investors must confirm risks

Last week, South Korean stocks extended a run of record highs, helped by a rally in large semiconductor names led by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

The KOSPI ended at 8,228.70 on the 27th, setting a new record high for a second straight day. It closed up 3.55 percent at 8,476.15 on the 29th, approaching the 8,500 level. Over the same period, the KOSDAQ was weak, underscoring the contrast between large KOSPI stocks and small- and mid-cap growth shares.

Samsung Electronics' combined market capitalisation of common and preferred shares topped 2,000 trillion won for the first time on the 29th. SK Hynix also broke through a $1 trillion market capitalisation intraday on the 27th.

Rising demand for AI chips and expectations for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) were key drivers of the stock gains. The listing effect of single-stock leveraged "Samjeon Nix" products added to that, further concentrating flows into semiconductor-related shares.

Even as the index rose, more stocks fell than rose, leaving market sentiment mixed. Some in the market also see the June market as more likely to enter a phase of pace adjustment after a short-term surge than to see a trend break.

• [Market outlook] KOSPI nears 8,500; will it enter a pace adjustment amid semiconductor concentration? • KOSPI ends at a record high around 8,470; KOSDAQ falls more than 2 percent • KOSPI hits record high for second straight day; semiconductors strong on first day of single-stock leveraged products • Samsung Electronics opens era of 2,000 trillion won market cap, closing in on bitcoin • SK Hynix tops $1 trillion market cap, second in South Korea after Samsung Electronics

In the financial sector, responses to financial security threats such as AI-driven cyberattacks and voice phishing also emerged as key talking points.

As worries grew that hacking attacks could become more sophisticated with the emergence of high-performance AI "Mitos", financial authorities began reviewing easing network separation rules and even the possibility of a full lift to enable AI use for security purposes. Financial firms are also speeding up efforts to strengthen security systems spanning prevention and recovery from damage, beyond post-incident responses.

KB Financial Group began an integrated support service for voice phishing victims, linking credit counselling, debt restructuring guidance, psychological counselling and legal assistance. Toss Bank launched "financial fraud prevention officers" with the National Police Agency, tapping investigative experience of retired police officers for community-based prevention activities.

Toss Securities said a phenomenon in which a specific photo appeared as a preview image during the process of registering a bookmark on a PC home screen was unrelated to hacking or personal data leakage, as it moved to calm user concerns.

• Full lift of network separation on Mitos shock, a turning point for financial-sector AX • KB Financial Group builds linked credit, psychological and legal support system for voice phishing victims • Toss Bank and National Police Agency launch "financial fraud prevention officers"; retired police to block voice phishing • Toss Securities says President Lee Jae-myung photo exposure in bookmark is "not hacking or information leakage"

The Bank of Korea held its benchmark interest rate at 2.50 percent last week. Market attention also focused less on the hold than on the possibility of a future shift to tightening.

Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song (신현송) said after the policy meeting that the need for a rate increase had become clear, and signalled it would move to tightening at an appropriate time.

With oil prices rising on Middle East risk and inflation pressure building, the central bank raised its consumer inflation forecast for this year to 2.7 percent. It also revised up its growth outlook for this year to 2.6 percent, reflecting strong semiconductor exports and facility investment.

The market interpreted the meeting as a signal that the central bank's monetary policy stance has fully turned hawkish from its previous accommodative trend, as it was the first meeting since Shin took office as governor.

• Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song: "Need for rate hike is clear; will tighten at an appropriate time" • Bank of Korea holds rate at 2.50 percent; raises growth outlook to 2.6 percent amid Middle East risk • Tightening vigilance grows ahead of Shin's first policy meeting as attention turns to a "hawkish shift" signal

Policy moves also continued around inclusive finance, productive finance and digital payments infrastructure. Financial authorities presented a direction to switch purchased debt collection businesses from a registration system to a licensing system to reduce long-term and excessive collection problems, and to change practices centred on debt recovery toward debtor protection.

Han a Financial Group additionally unveiled a 3 trillion won inclusive finance roadmap, the first among financial holding firms, and decided to push a package that includes expanding mid-interest loans, financial support for small business owners and write-offs of delinquent debt.

The public participation growth fund, which recorded a sellout, moved toward a second tranche. It stood out as a policy product linking advanced industry investment and capital market activation. Commercial banks also joined the BIS "Project Agora" to verify a deposit token-based payment system, as inclusive growth and digital financial infrastructure overhaul advanced at the same time.

• Moves begin to block "primitive predatory finance" as debt collection market overhaul starts • Hana Financial launches 3 trillion won inclusive finance roadmap, expanding mid-interest loans and debt write-offs • Second tranche of public participation growth fund to be launched as additional supply is pursued after sellout • Commercial banks join BIS "Project Agora" to verify deposit token payment system

Banks continued to roll out tailored financial products targeting specific customer groups. KB Kookmin Bank launched the "KB Global Star Savings" product exclusively for foreign customers, offering an interest rate of up to 5.5 percent a year, along with waived overseas remittance fees and preferential exchange rates.

Hana Bank introduced the "Daehanminguk Manse Savings" product, limited to 60,000 accounts, to mark the month of remembrance and patriotism, offering preferential rates without separate conditions to people of national merit and police and firefighters. Woori Bank launched the "WON Dream Switch Loan" to help customers with high-interest credit loans from group affiliates refinance into bank loans and ease interest burdens.

For the youth policy finance product "Youth Future Savings", preferential rates by bank were disclosed. It is set to go on sale with a base rate of 5 percent a year plus preferential rates of up to 3 percentage points, applying a maximum rate of 8 percent a year.

• KB Kookmin Bank launches "KB Global Star Savings" for foreigners, offering up to 5.5 percent a year • Preferential rates for Youth Future Savings disclosed, with up to 8 percent a year by bank • Hana Bank launches "Daehanminguk Manse Savings" limited to 60,000 accounts • Woori Bank launches "WON Dream Switch Loan" for high-interest loan customers

Other major moves in finance and fintech were also summarised.

KB Financial Group and Shinhan Bank focused on inclusive finance and expanding future financial infrastructure. KB Kookmin Bank introduced an "electronic braille service" to improve internet banking accessibility for visually impaired customers, and KB Financial Group partnered with Rebellions to build a financial infrastructure based on domestically made AI semiconductors. Shinhan Bank joined hands with the operator of Photoism and Shinhan Card to sign a mutual growth finance agreement, broadening support for self-employed people.

Hana Financial and Woori Bank each moved to strengthen social contribution and global strategy. Hana Financial expanded programmes supporting rehabilitation, independence and access to finance for people with disabilities over their life cycle. Woori Bank opened an Asia regional headquarters in Singapore to strengthen its global investment banking sales base.

• KB Kookmin Bank introduces "electronic braille service" on internet banking as it practices inclusive finance • KB Financial Group joins hands with Rebellions to build AI financial infrastructure • Shinhan Bank signs mutual growth finance agreement with Photoism operator and Shinhan Card • Hana Financial expands life-cycle tailored support for people with disabilities, from rehabilitation to financial services • Woori Bank opens Asia regional headquarters in Singapore to strengthen global investment banking

Fintech firms also continued to expand their reach, centred on payments, investment and mutual growth services. Kbank said its children's financial management service "MyKids" surpassed 10,000 accounts in two weeks after launch, confirming demand for long-term subscriptions. Kakao Pay expanded its mutual growth programme supporting the growth of 100 small business brands, and Naver Pay moved to activate overseas QR payments with the Macao Government Tourism Office.

Toss introduced "Face Pay" at Hyundai Bluehands specialised service centres, expanding offline payments into the auto repair market. Kakao Pay Securities highlighted domestic semiconductor investment flows as its RIA surpassed 50,000 accounts.

• Kbank's "MyKids" tops 10,000 accounts in two weeks; 86 percent choose 5-year maturity • Kakao Pay expands mutual growth programme supporting 100 small business brands • Naver Pay releases brand film with Macao Government Tourism Office to activate overseas QR payments • Toss introduces "Face Pay" at Hyundai Bluehands, targeting auto repair payment market • Kakao Pay Securities' RIA tops 50,000 accounts: "Overseas profit-taking funds into domestic semiconductors"